As people begin to engage with the Scripture, they might have to combat a modern assumption (sometimes explicitly expressed) that a bunch of old European guys sat in a room and wrote the Bible, making it up for religious control or some other corrupt reason. But this could not be further from the truth.

The Bible is full of people who wrestled with God, in every way, and instead of rejecting them, he met them there. The father of a demon-possessed boy in Mark 9 said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Jesus didn’t reject him but answered his request. None of our questions are too big or small for God. He isn’t surprised or intimidated by our struggles.

While the old covenant wasn't based on faith and grace, God gave the Law and it revealed his character. We are no longer subject to the Law, but it taught eternal truth. Specifically, the Ten Commandments show us how to love God first and love others second.

Many Christians know that Psalm 119 is the longest book in the Bible, and while not stated in Scripture, Jewish tradition holds that King David is the author of the psalm. Just a couple psalms earlier, Psalm 117 is the shortest. Also, interestingly, these two psalms sit at the center of the whole biblical canon, at the halfway point. 

Many modern readers avoid long passages, and hearing how Psalm 119 is the longest in the whole Bible might cause some to skip it. However, this psalm is full of popular and inspiring quotes, and it is worth taking a step back to gain more understanding about this epic song and its unique poetic format. Greater understanding about purpose and message helps us better engage the psalm. 

Here are 7 things to know about Psalm 119, the longest book in the Bible. 

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Early in the Old Testament, in a foundational moment, God doesn’t define himself with anger or wrath but compassion, graciousness, and love. He does get angry (also seen in the New Testament), but his path to anger is slow and longsuffering because of his love.

As the Messiah, Jesus revealed the Father’s love and announced this new kingdom by healing people. In one account, he spoke to a dead girl, saying, “Talitha koum,” and she was raised from the dead.

The Bible doesn’t directly say “don’t go to bed angry,” but it’s close. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” God’s ultimate act of reconciliation (sending his Son to die for our sins) sets the perfect example for how to handle conflict.

We were created and designed to need others. 

God, within himself, is a relationship, three persons in one. Creation reflects his nature. All created things exist in relation to other things, from the biggest of universes to the smallest atoms. People are no different. The one “problem” with Eden was that Adam didn’t have someone like him to enjoy oneness with. So God created Eve. 

This desire for others, as with all things after the fall, has been broken by sin. Pornography undermines the very connections and relationships we crave, using our lusts to destroy us, not fulfill us. Most agree pornography is wrong. Yet it accounts for almost 30% of online traffic. Why? Like many moral stances, we don’t understand why. 

God desires our holistic good, including healthy relationships with him and others. Porn isolates us. And just like removing a limb leads to its death and rot, our isolation results in great harm.  

How does porn do this?

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Zion begins as a physical place, the City of David, but through the growing prophecies about the Son of David, the Messiah, coming to establish a forever kingdom, Zion becomes a symbol of both the physical city and a heavenly reality.

Christians can claim no part in their own salvation or the works they do. God’s grace calls, saves, and transforms people to live a life reflecting God’s power and love.

The New Jerusalem declares to us how we have an eternal intimacy with God, living with him now and fully in the new heaven and earth. Revelation 21:3 promises, “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.” This is our ultimate hope — a direct, unhindered relationship with God forever.

Since we all go through chaos and crisis, it shouldn’t surprise us how God filled the Bible with promises to rescue and deliver his people from any danger.

As with many parts of Christian history, the modern and highly secularized Mardi Gras masks the solemn and spiritual nature of Shrove Tuesday. As believers, we should take the time to understand the true meaning and purpose behind these traditions. Shrove Tuesday is a great example.

Fat Tuesday. Ash Wednesday. Fasting for Lent. 

Perhaps you have friends who use these terms in conversation. Or possibly you have started attending a fellowship that observes these days and the Lenten season, and you’ve wondered what they mean. How are they connected? 

More importantly, you might be considering how you should get involved. If you’re new to the tradition, here are 7 Lent considerations for newbies. 

1. Understand the Purpose of Lent

Lent is more than a time we give up chocolate or social media. During the 40 days leading up to Easter, Lent leads believers through a time of reflection and transformation. It is an expectation for Holy Week just as Advent takes us to Christmas. 

The early church observed a time of Lent decades before the rise of the Roman Catholic church. At first, the 40 days prepared new disciples for baptism during Holy Week. Over the years, all Christians started participating in this time to examine their hearts, repent, and draw near to God. The 40 days of Lent comes from Jesus’ time of fasting and temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Through prayer, fasting, and charity, we create margin for God to speak and work in our lives. 

Lent is more than religious tradition. The spiritual disciplines of prayer, giving, and fasting connect our hearts to the Gospel of Christ, expressed in the death and resurrection of Jesus at Holy Week. We should approach Lent with an open heart, preparing us for the joy of Easter through meditation. God came for our transformation, bought with his death, and he gives us hope in the resurrection. When we engage with Lent intentionally, it becomes a journey to strengthen our walk with Christ, as Christians have discovered over almost two thousand years.

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