The Nurse Theologian

What does it say? Psalm 90: The Lord is God from everlasting to everlasting. Time does not mean the same to God as it does to man. God sees all of our sins; the life of a man is on average 70 to 80 years, Moses asks God to teach us to number our days and be wise. Moses asks the Lord to have favor on them and be pleased with their work.  Psalm 91: The one who trust in the Lord has true security. The one who trust in the Lord will not fear death. God will send his angels to guide the ways of him who trusts in the Lord. The Lord says that he who trust Me, I will answer him and let him see My salvation.  Psalm 92: It is good to sing praises to the Lord. The wicked are aloud to flourish, so that they might be destroyed forever. The one who trusts in the Lord will be exalted to declare that the Lord is righteous.  Psalm 93: The Lord reigns and He is everlastingly clothed in majesty. The testimonies of the Lord are confirmed and holiness is His house forever.  Psalm 94: The wicked flourish and th…

What does it say? Psalm 86: David says that he is a godly man because he trust in the Lord; he calls upon his name for deliverance and believes that all nations should worship the Lord. God has delivered David from death; therefore, David desires to learn God’s ways. David prays to be delivered from violent men who do not set God before them. Psalm 87: The Lord loves the city Zion; therefore, he counts the people born there separate than those born elsewhere. Psalm 88: The psalmist is greatly afflicted and has been calling on the name of the Lord for help out of affliction. Will God preform wonders for the dead and will the dead rise and praise him? The psalmist asks the Lord for reason regarding his affliction.  Psalm 89: The psalmist vows to sing of the lovingkindness and faithfulness of God because of the Lord’s covenant with David. There is no being in all the universe that compares to the Lord, the heavens praise the wonders of the Lord. There is nothing in all of creation that does …

What does it say? Psalm 80: The psalmist begins by honoring God then prays for salvation. He ask for God to shine his face upon them and restore them. He says that God removed a vine from Egypt and planted it in a cleared land but the hedges of the garden have been broken and all who pass by pick the vines fruit. The psalmist returns to his plea for salvation and restoration.  Psalm 81: The psalmist exhorts Jacob to worship God. Then God speaks and says, “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other God’s before me.” The people did not listen to God; therefore, he gave them over but if they would listen to his word and walk in his ways God would subdue their enemies.  Psalm 82: God judges that the rulers are judging unjustly, showing partiality to the wicked. God has given them honor as gods and sonship but they will die like men because of their unrighteousness.  Psalm 83: The psalmist says that all the nations are conspiring to destroy God’s people. He asks God to do to these nations…

What does it say? Psalm 78: The psalmist begins to tell of the Lord in a parable. That they should trust in God, keep his commandments  (The Ten Commandments) and teach them to their children. The sons of Ephraim turned back from the enemy in fear because they forgot the works that God did when leading them out of Egypt and in the desert. Despite seeing his works, they did not trust that God would provide for them in the desert. God provided them with manna for bread and qual for meat, but they gathered these in greed and did not thank the Lord, nor believe in his wonderful works. However, when God’s anger rose and he killed some of them, they sought him, but their heart was not steadfast towards him and they did not keep his covenant. They continually rebelled against God despite all the wonderful things that he did for them and seeing with their own eyes his mighty works. God brought the children into the land that he promised the fathers and the generations that followed rebelled ag…

What does it say? Psalm 74: The psalmist calls out to the Lord for help because the enemy has destroyed the land and there is no prophet to tell them how long the enemy will prevail. The psalmist knows that the Lord is the all powerful creator. He asks the Lord to not forget them in their affliction. He says that the enemy is actually fighting against God.
Psalm 75: God has said to the boastful, “Do not boast,” and to the wicked, “Do not speak with insolent pride.” The Lord is the one who judges and puts down and exalts. The psalmist trusts that God will abase the proud and lift up the the righteous.
Psalm 76: God is known in Judah and is his name is hallowed in Israel. All should fear God because no man can stand in the presence of God when he becomes angry. God will rise in judgment to save the humble of the earth. If you make a vow to the Lord, fulfill your vow because God is to be feared by the kings of the earth.
Psalm 77: The psalmist believes that when he cries aloud to God that Go…

What does it say? David prays to the Lord for his enemies to be ashamed and turn back. He also prays for those who seek God to be glad and God be magnified. God took the psalmist from his mothers womb and sustained him all of his life. He ask that God not forsake him in his old age. He asks that his enemies be covered with reproach and vows to tell of the righteousness and salvation of God all day long. He asks God to comfort him in his old age. He vows to play the harp and the lyre while singing praises to God. Solomon prays that the kings son be able to judge righteously as God judges. He prays that the righteous flourish and have peace. He asks that all the nations bow before him. He will deliver the needy and have compassion on the poor; therefore, they pray for him all day long. The earth and the city will flourish and all the nations will call him blessed. His prayer is that the whole earth be filled with the glory of the Lord God, the God of Israel. Asaph notices that the wick s…

What does it say? Praise God, because of his power, your enemies will obey you even from a rebellious heart. God is all powerful; therefore, the rebellious should not exalt themselves. God has refined his chosen with fire and water; now they are in a place of abundance and should fulfill their vows made while in distress. The psalmist invites all who fear God to hear what God has done for him. May all of the nations of the earth fear God, praise God, be glad and sing for joy. May the wicked perish before God and may the righteous rejoice. God is a father to the fatherless and a judge for widows. God provides for the poor. God protects his sheep, covering them with wings of silver and gold. The Lord will dwell on his chosen mountain forever. God is our deliverance and our salvation, he will shatter the head of his enemies. The king has proceed into the sanctuary and God is glorified. Kings will come to the temple to bring gifts to God. The psalmist exhorts the kingdoms of the earth to s…

What does it say? The wicked begin speaking lies from birth and their words are like venom. David asks God to shatter the teeth in the mouths of the wicked. The righteous will rejoice when God judges the wicked. The wicked scoff and do not believe that God sees the things that they do. David prays for God to destroy the wicked in wrath. The wicked are like dogs who growl and search for food at night, but David will praise God because God is his strength and his stronghold. God made the people feel hardship but David trusts that God loves and will deliver his people. All of the nations belong to God. It appears that God has rejected them but David trusts in God’s deliverance. David has trusted in God; therefore, he asks to dwell in God’s tent forever. David knows that God has heard his vows and trusts that God will prolong his life, that he may fulfill his vows. David trust in God alone to save him. The wicked thrust down and delight in falsehood. David trusts only in God and encourages…

What does it say? David prays for God to forgive him, for all sin is against God. He knows that he is by nature a sinner and ask that God hide his face from his sin. He asks God to cleanse him of his sin and create in him a new heart that teaches transgressors God’s ways, so that others may be converted to God. David knows that no sacrifice that he could offer would please God, but God is pleased with repentance. David asks for the Lord to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Man boast in his evil and is a worker of deceit. The man who does not trust in God but trust in his riches with evil desire will be torn down and taken away. However, David trust in the lovingkindness of God forever. The fool says in his heart that there is no God and there is no one who does good. David prays for salvation for Israel that they may turn to God and be glad. Violent ungodly men sought the life of David. However, he believes that God will rescue him from his foes. David will give thanksgiving sacrifices …

What does it say? God is our strength and our refuge; therefore, we should not fear what happens on the earth. There is a river that makes glad the city of God. God will make wars to cease on the earth. God is to feared for he is in control. All people shall praise God for he is the King of all the earth. The Lord is great and should be greatly praised, in the city of God. God will establish his city forever. Take a look around the city of God and tell it to the next generation. The psalmist speaks wisdom to the rich and poor together. No man should boast in his riches because no man has the means to redeem his brother from death. Even though a man sees that all other men and beasts die, he gives no thought to his own death. The psalmist calls such a man a fool because like sheep, they are appointed for death but the psalmist trusts the Lord to redeem him from death. Do not fear the rich because like the beast, the rich will also perish. God will judge all of the earth and his judgemen…

What does it say?Psalm 40: The psalmist trust that the Lord will help and deliver him because he is needy and the Lord is good. Psalm 41: The one who considers the helpless is blessed and the Lord will deliver him when he is in trouble; however, the psalmist believes that he is in trouble and waits to be delivered by the Lord. Psalm 42: The psalmist is thirsting for God while troubled in exile away from the house of God. Psalm 43: The psalmist prays and hopes in God to deliver him from deceitful and unjust men. Psalm 44: The psalmist recalls the greatness of God; deliverance in the former days but laments the present, they are troubled by their enemies and it seems that God does not come to their aid, so the he calls to God for help. Psalm 45: The king is glorious and his bride is beautiful; celebrate the marriage of the king and his bride.
What does it mean? It often feels like God is not listening, that he has a deaf ear regarding our cries for help. We can recall how God was good in the p…

What does it say? Psalm 36: Men are wicked and God is abounding in lovingkindness. The psalmist asks the Lord to continue in his lovingkindness towards him and all who know the Lord. Psalm 37: The wicked may flourish for a season but their end is in death; however, the righteous shall live forever; their salvation is from the Lord, in whom they take refuge. Psalm 38: The psalmist, trusting in the lovingkindness of the Lord; confesses his sin to the Lord and asks the Lord to grant him salvation from his enemies.  Psalm 39: The psalmist is in anguish because he knows that life is brief and he has sinned against the almighty; therefore, he asks the Lord to deliver him from all of his transgressions.
What does it mean? There are two people on the earth: the righteous and the wicked; yet, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. What makes a person righteous? No one walking in the flesh is righteous, so it is not in works. There are no self-righteous people on the earth. The righteous…

What does it say? Psalm 32: Do not keep silent about personal sin but confess your sin to the Lord; the Lord is abounding in lovingkindness towards those who confess sin and trust in the Lord for forgiveness. Psalm 33: Thank the Lord and give him credit for all that you have because all comes from God. Do not fear the created things or trust in their power; fear the Lord alone and trust in the Lord alone for help. Psalm 34: The psalmist gives glory to the Lord for delivering him from the wicked by teaching others to seek the Lord. No one who takes refuge in the Lord will be condemned.  Psalm 35: The psalmist prays to the Lord for rescue from enemies, vowing to declare the Lord’s righteousness and praise him all day long.
What does it mean? We should confess all of our sin to the Lord because he is kind. He will forgive the sins of those who humble themselves and come to him in repentance. The Lord God created everything; therefore, we should not fear anything created but fear the creator al…

What does it say? Psalm 26: The psalmist ask the Lord to save him from the way of sinners and death because his way is God’s way. Psalm 27: The psalmist loves and trust the Lord despite all that may be going wrong in the world; he trusts that the Lord will never leave him nor forsake him.  Psalm 28: The psalmist prayer is for the Lord to hear him and help him because his way is not like the wicked; therefore, he trust that the Lord has already helped him and he exults in the Lord. Psalm 29: The psalmist exhorts the sons of God to give the voice of the Lord credit for everything. Psalm 30: The psalmist gives thanks to the Lord for saving him from death; he says that the Lord’s anger is for a moment but his favor is for a lifetime. Psalm 31: The psalmist has lost strength because of his iniquity and is a reproach because of his enemies; however, he trusts in the Lord’s lovingkindness (grace) to save him from his enemies.
What does it mean? There is one way that men should walk and that way is t…

What does it say? Psalm 21: The Lord granted the king his hearts desire; eternal life and a crown of glory. The king trust in the Lord and the right hand of God will thrust out all who hate the Lord.  Psalm 22: The psalmist feels forsaken by God because he cries by day and night and there is no reprieve from his anguish. He believes that he is a worm and not a man, for he is despised by the people who sneer at him who trust in the Lord. Despite all of this, he trust in the Lord. The enemy has surrounded him, taken his clothing, pierced his hands and feet but they did not break his bones. Despite all of this, his trust is in the Lord. The Lord hears the prayers of the afflicted who call on his name to save them. The families of the nations will come to feast and worship before him who is the Lord. Psalm 23: The Lord is the psalmist’s shepherd. The psalmist does not fear death because he believes that he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 24: The Lord created the earth; ther…

What does it say? Psalm 17: David prays to the Lord to save him from his enemies, those who do not love the Lord, whose portion is in this life alone: however, David believes that he will see the face of God and will be satisfied with the likeness of God when he awakes. Psalm 18: The Lord is stronger than the enemy and is a shield for all who take refuge in him but God is astute with the crooked.  Psalm 19: When a man looks up to the heavens he should know that God is glorious but it is the law of the Lord that is perfect for restoring a soul. Psalm 20: David prayer for Israel is that the Lord will answer them in their times of need and that they will boast in nothing but the Lord.
What does it mean? There are two people in this world: Those who trust in the Lord and those who do not. Those who follow the word of God and those who do not. Those who seek only for their billy and those who seek the will of God. Those who take refuge in God and those who trust in a multitude of things to prote…

What does it say? Psalm 9: David thanks the Lord for the Justice of God. Psalm 10: The psalmist prays for the Lord to come to the aide of those who trust him and overthrow the wicked who oppress them. Psalm 11: The righteous take refuge in the Lord and the Lord knows their hearts. Psalm 12: The Lord is a helper against the treacherous. Psalm 13: The righteous man prays for the Lords help in times of trouble and trusts that help will come in long-suffering.  Psalm 14: It is foolish to not believe in God; unbelief begets sin and faith begets patients. Psalm 15: The citizen of the city of God loves his neighbor. Psalm 16: The Lord is our portion now and yet to come.
What does it mean? The man who loves the Lord also loves his neighbor. When the wicked seem to prevail, he prays to the Lord for deliverance, and trust the Lord for deliverance. Deliverance from the wicked and death will come in time; therefore, he must continue to faithfully call on the name of the Lord in prayer for deliverance. They…

What does it say? Psalm 1: The righteous delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. The wicked will perish and be driven away.  Psalm 2: The nations desire to destroy the Lord’s anointed. The Lord laughs at their threats. The Lord comforts his anointed King and calls him his Son. The Lord warns the nations to worship him and do homage to the Son, that he not become angry and they perish. The Sons wrath may soon be kindled but those who take refuge in him are blessed.  Psalm 3: The adversaries of David tell him that their is no deliverance for him in God. He calls to on the name of the Lord and he answers him. While resting the Lord sustains him. David prays for the Lord’s salvation. Psalm 4: David calls on the name of the Lord in prayer. The wicked love what is worthless but God sets apart the godly man for himself. Fear God and do not sin, offer to him sacrifices of righteousness. David trust that the Lord will protect him.  Psalm 5: David cries to the Lord for help.…

What does it say? After hearing the Lord speak Job said, “I am insignificant; what can I reply to you?” God wants to know if Job will really annul his judgment in order to justify himself because that would require Job’s condemnation of God. God says that he made Job and the Behemoth. The Behemoth as a very large and very strong creature. The Behemoth is the first of the ways of God. The sea creature Leviathan is so strong that no man can capture it and the Leviathan was made by God. God created everything and everything created belongs to God. There is no creature that the Leviathan fears. Job confesses that he did not really know God and spoke what he did not understand. Job is repentant towards God and attentive to hear the word of God. The Lord was displeased with the way Job’s friends spoke; therefore, the Lord commanded them to make sin offerings and piece offerings to God through Job. After Job’s intercession for his friends, the Lord restored all of the fortunes of Job two fold…

What does it say? God speaks to Job and asks, who is this who speaks without knowledge? God asks Job, have you ever commanded the morning. God speaks to Job about all the wonders of the earth and the sea and the heavens. God asks Job, do you understand these and do you have the power to command them? God asks Job, do you understand all of the creatures of the earth? The examples given are the mountain goat giving birth, the wild donkey foraging, the wild ox, the ostriches laying her eggs on the ground, the might of the horse, the soaring hawk, and the eagle who nests on cliffs. For each of these God asks Job, do you have the power to command them and do you see what these are doing all of the time? 
What does it mean? It means that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present and man is not. The theological terms for these three are: Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence. Man is not omnipotent, we have power to do things but our power is limited. Man is not omniscient, we have …

What does it say? Elihu reproved Jobs thinking, saying that God is so much higher than you. The Lord God is so high that you cannot comprehend him. The Lord God is so high that your sins cannot hurt him, nor can your righteousness help him. Elihu says that God is mighty, but does not despise any. God reproves some that they may repent, but the godless in heart lay up anger and do not repent. Men should exalt the work of God for he is a mighty teacher of men. Elihu describes the sovereignty of God over all that he has created. God causes the lightening, the thunder, the snow and the rain to fall. God is the back of every storm. The storm does whatever the Lord commands. God uses storms for both correction and lovingkindness. Men are not able to do the mighty things of God. The Lord God does not regard man who is wise at heart; therefore, men should fear him.
What does it mean? We cannot hurt God nor can we help God. The Lord God does not need us to accomplish anything. The Lord is almight…

What does it say? Elihu in anger rebuked Job because he justified himself before God; also his three friends because they found no answer, yet they condemned Job. Elihu claims to speak for God. Elihu Vindicates God’s Justice. 
What does it mean? Elihu kept quite until the three elder friends of Job rested their case. They condemned Job a sinner without answering his arguments. The Scripture says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23) I know that all men have sinned but I cannot judge someone without giving evidence. Elihu says that Job’s friends condemned him a sinner without law. It is as though Job was on trial. These three men condemned him without law. What would you think if you heard that a man was walking down the street in tattered clothing; the police arrested him and the judge sentences him to a prison? Wouldn’t you want to know his crime and the evidence that he broke the law? The law needs to be stated, and evidence for breaking that law must be…

What does it say? Job’s past was glorious. When Job walked in the market place men stood before him and their mouths were hushed. However, Jobs present state is humiliating. Job is taunted by fools. Job calls out to God for help but he does not answer or come to his aide. Job asserts his integrity. Job believes that he should be judged righteously. Job believes that if he has done wrong he should be punished but asserts that he has lived righteously. Job speaks of the commandments while stating what he has done and what he has not done. 
What does it mean? It is often the case that we honor our past and lament the present. Job’s past was glorious and his present state is humiliating; however, Job is not really humble because he boast in self-righteousness. 
What should I do? I remember having a young wife who adored me and children who looked up to me. Our children have grown and no longer listen to my word; however, my wife remains at my side. We often remember the past together and lamen…

What does it say? Job says that God seems to ignore wrongs. Bildad says that man is inferior. Job rebukes Bildad for his unkind words. Job speaks of the greatness of God. Job holds fast to his personal righteousness. Job says that God will crush the wicked. Job says that a man can find riches on the earth; however, wisdom and understanding are harder for a man to find, nor can he buy them with the riches of the earth. The fear of the Lord is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding. 
What does it mean? When we survey the earth it appears that God ignores wrongs. How can anyone deny this unless he his blind. There is a great deal of wickedness on the earth and many of the wicked live rich productive lives. Is God unjust? Job holds that God is just. The wicked seek after riches but wisdom is better than riches. All of Job’s riches were taken from him but Job has something worth far more than riches. Job has wisdom and understanding. Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body b…

What does it say? Job says that one man dies full of strength, being at ease, and satisfied; while another man dies with a bitter soul, never tasting good things in life. Eliphaz accuses Job of great wickedness and exhorts him to yield to God, listen to his word, and be restored. Job longs to speak with God and present his case before him, that he may be justified, yet Job knows that the Lord does what he desires; therefore, he is terrified of him.
What does it mean? To this point in the dialogue, the friends of Job have implied that Job is wicked, but now Eliphaz outwardly accuses Job of wickedness. The only evidence that he has that job is wicked is that Job has been crushed by God. Eliphaz’s logic is based on a faulty premise. The premise being that God gives good things to the righteous man and bad things to the wicked. However, Job knows that this is not the way of things in this world. What a man receives in this world is not based on personal righteousness or unrighteousness. One …

What does it say? Job says that he has become a byword for the people and men spit at him as if he were dirt. Bildad believes that only the wicked man receives the bad things that Job has received. Job feels insulted that his friends believe that he has done wrong. Job says that everything and everyone is against him, will not his friends at least have pity for him. Job believes that God is just, therefore, he will redeem him and when he does his friends should be afraid of judgment. Zophar says that the triumph of the wicked is short for God gives the wicked bitterness. 
What does it mean? In this present world justice is often not the case. A wicked man lives a rich productive life and a God fearing man has nothing to eat. Job believes that there is no justice on the earth but in the end God will be just. Bildad and Zophar believe in what is called retribution theology. What goes around comes around. So, who is correct? Bildad and Zophar are like ivory tower theologians. Their knowledg…

What does it say? Job says that life is short and death leaves a man unaware of anything happening on the earth. Eliphaz accuses Job of boasting with empty words. He says that Job’s wisdom is without understanding or knowledge. Eliphaz said that it is the corrupt and godless ones who have a difficult life, their end is destruction. Job calls his friends sorry comforters. If he was in their place he could choose to tear down as they are doing or he could choose to build up. Job says that he was at ease and God has shattered him and set him up as a target for ridicule. Job trust that in the end, God will be his advocate. Job desires to plead with God before the end of his days, as a man pleads with his neighbor. 
What does it mean? Despite all that has happened to Job, even while understanding that God either caused or allowed him to suffer, he trusts that God will be his advocate and witness. Job is left without hope of anything on the earth. All of Job’s positions, servants and children …

What does it say? Zophar rebukes Job that he should confess his sin to God for the Lord knows all. Job responds that God is sovereign over all. Job says that God builds up and tears down. The Lord is all powerful, so, everything occurs by his decree. The Lord makes men powerful and tears them down. Job says that his friends accusations him and their words about God are like dust or ashes that blow away. Job trust that he will be vindicated by God. Job believes that God counts him as his enemy but does not understand the reason. 
What does it mean? We should not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. (Jn 7:24) Zophar judged Job according to appearance and used what he knows about God to rebuke Job. Zophar is correct to say that God sees all sin. There is nothing hidden from God, even our thoughts and desires are not hidden from the Lord. (Dan 2:22) Zophar understands this, but he does not know that Job’s loosing positions, loved ones, and physical sufferings are…

What does it say? Bildad says that God rewards the good but punishes all who sin against him; therefore, Job and his sons must have sinned against God because the Lord would not reject a man of integrity. Job answers, there is no arbitrator between man and God. The Lord is all powerful; therefore, man cannot dispute against the Lord. Job believes that he is innocent but if God holds him guilty there is no disputing the Lord. Job does not understand why God has dealt this blow to his life. Job says that God knitted him together and granted him life and lovingkindness, so why did God bring him forth from his mothers womb. Was it to give him despair?
What does it mean? Men often believe that things should be black and white. Bildad’s statement is true. Bildad believes that God rewards good behavior and punishes bad behavior. However, when I survey the earth I find many of the rich and famous acting very badly. I see the poor acting badly as well, so, it cannot be as black and what as Bildad…

What does it say? Eliphaz continues his discourse saying that God is just; he believes that if Job would just turn to the Lord, confessing and forsaking his sin, the Lord will restore him. Job answers, saying, that his friends or no comfort, he has no pleasure in life, he desires death rather than what he has been given. Job upholds his righteousness, saying, “Show me were I have erred.” To Job, life seems futile. Man labors all of his days then dies. Job finds no comfort, if he lies down to sleep he is tormented with dreams. Job questions why would God be concerned about him. Job wants to know what he has done to offended God. 
What does it mean? Job’s friend Eliphaz believes that God is just and he is correct in saying so but does not understand that Job’s suffering is not because Job has personally sinned. Eliphaz does not know that God allowed Satan to take Job’s wealth and health. It is easy for men to fall into despair when the world around us crumbles. What hope is there in life w…