Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Hiding from Saul in a cave, David lays his complaint fully before the LORD. He prays in confidence that although his enemies have laid a trap for him, the LORD’s knowledge of his way will prevail. When no one else seems to notice David as he is in the midst of great trouble, the LORD brings David out of the prison so that he is not actually alone. The LORD surrounds David with His righteous ones, as He still does for us today in the Church.  Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 142.  To learn more about St. John's, visit stjohnlcmstopeka.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all f

In Psalm 135, the worshipers who have been ascending to the LORD’s house on Zion sing their praises to Him. All of the priests and the servants of the LORD are called upon to praise the LORD as the only true God who accomplishes His will of salvation. His praise sounds forth throughout all creation, even as His people know Him as the true God who delivered them from their enemies. All idols are nothing, and those who worship such idols become like them, but those who fear the LORD as the only true God dwell in eternal life, just as He does.  Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 135.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheranottumwa.com. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timot

Psalm 131 finds its home in the psalms of ascent as a short text that takes a long time to learn. David refuses to lift his heart or eyes in pride above the LORD, recognizing that those good things which the LORD has given in His Word are a refuge for him. In God’s Word, David and all Christians have a quiet place of refuge and nourishment. In the LORD, Christians have a hope that does not disappoint, now or forever.  Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 131.  To learn more about Redeemer Lutheran, visit redeemer-lawrence.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Ch

Psalm 124 is among the psalms of ascent, used by worshipers going to the temple in Jerusalem. Singing antiphonally with a leader, those who come to worship the LORD bless His name for His rescue from those who would have swallowed them up and washed them away. The LORD has sprung the trap that was set against His people, for as the Creator of all things, He comes to help His people. In our Lord Jesus Christ, the Church still prays these words in thanksgiving for His rescue from death and the grave. Rev. Andrew Belt, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 124. To learn more about Christ Lutheran Church, visit christmarshfield.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Psalm 113 is the first psalm in the Egyptian Hallel, which was used during the Passover celebration. The servants of the LORD are called to praise Him at all times and in all places. He is enthroned over His entire creation so that no one at all is like Him. In His almighty power, He shows incredible mercy, lifting up the poor and the needy and giving children to the barren. All of this He has accomplished in the incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 113.  To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit www.graceelgin.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Knowing the mercy of the LORD, who reigns as King over all creation, David sings the LORD’s praises and meditates on His blameless way. From that faith, David vows to reign with integrity of heart by looking to the LORD alone and rejecting the path of evil endorsed by the devil and the world. The slanderous, the arrogant, and the false have no place in David’s reign, regardless of their outward appearances. Instead, David looks with favor upon the faithful who share the true faith in the LORD. Although David does not live up to the vows he makes, nor do any other sinners, the Lord Jesus is the perfect King who rules with such righteousness to make us His holy people.  Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 101.  To learn more about Immanuel Lutheran, visit www.immanuelroswell.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Hi

The LORD reigns as the transcendent King over all the earth and all the nations, yet He comes near to His people as He rules from the place where He has promised to dwell. The peoples are called to praise Him for His just and righteous rule. He is the holy God who intends for His holiness to bless us. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel all experienced the blessing of God’s holiness as they called upon Him, and He answered with His forgiveness. Because of the forgiveness of our King, Jesus Christ, we call upon God and know that He will answer in His holiness for our blessing.  Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 99.  To learn more about St. Michael's Lutheran, visit www.stmichaelswinchester.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Just as the Anointed One of the LORD reigns in Psalm 2, so the LORD Himself reigns in Psalm 93, pointing forward to the incarnation of the Word in the person of Jesus Christ. Though the kings in the line of David have not always been faithful, the LORD is the faithful King. He has established His throne forever for the sake of His people. Although the waters may roar against the LORD, He is their almighty Ruler whose decrees are trustworthy forevermore.  Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 93.  To learn more about Our Savior Lutheran, visit www.oursavior-gr.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context an

Psalm 89 begins by praying to the LORD as the incomparable Creator of all things. He stills the mightiest forces in all creation by His mighty hand, and His people are blessed. That blessedness is seen especially in the LORD’s steadfast promises to David and his son. Yet the people of God lament that the line of David seems to have withered under God’s judgment, and so they pray that the LORD would remember His steadfast love and bring an end to the mockery of His anointed one. Through the promises spoken by the LORD in this psalm, the coming of Jesus Christ as the Son of David is foretold.   Rev. Mark Squire, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 89.  To learn more about Immanuel Lutheran, visit www.immanuelsta.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jes

In Psalm 80, the people of God cry out to Him to stir up His might to come and save them. Calling upon God as the Shepherd of Israel who is enthroned in His temple, the people ask that God would turn them back to Himself and that He would turn His face toward them. The psalm recounts the history of God’s faithfulness to Israel as His vineyard and God’s judgment against Israel for their idolatry. The psalm prays for the LORD to bless the man of His right hand, the Christ, who will give His people life so that they will call upon Him for salvation.  Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 80.  To learn more about Bethany Lutheran, visit www.bethanylcms.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev

Asaph knows that God is good to His people, and yet the prosperity of the wicked almost leads him to stumble from the faith. Even as he recognizes the wickedness of the arrogant, he sees that their riches increase, and he wonders if faith in the LORD is worth it. He holds his tongue from leading others astray and turns instead to the LORD’s saving presence in His sanctuary. There, he recalls that the wicked do not have the only thing that lasts: eternal life in Christ. Because God is the heritage that belongs to all the faithful, we can confidently confess with Asaph that the LORD Himself is our very portion forever.  Rev. Tom Eckstein, pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 73.  To learn more about Concordia Lutheran, visit www.concordiajt.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one

Psalm 67 leads us to pray that God would give His people the blessing given to Aaron for the purpose of making God’s salvation known among all nations. All peoples are called upon to praise the one true God who is the righteous Judge over all the earth. In His righteousness, He brings salvation so that the peoples praise Him for all His bounty, both physical and spiritual. All the ends of the earth can fear the LORD, knowing that He truly does fulfill His Word of blessing in Jesus Christ.   Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Assistant Vice President of Admissions and Director of the Christ Academy Program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 67.  To learn more about Christ Academy, visit ctsfw.edu/ctsfw-events/christ-academy. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Chr

As David hid from Saul in a cave, he cried out to God confidently for mercy. Even before God answered his prayer, David knew that the LORD would show steadfast love and faithfulness to rescue him. Though David’s enemies surrounded him, the glory of God that is over all the earth gave David courage. He knew that his enemies would fall into their own trap, and so he praised God even before the danger had passed. Still today, Christians praise God in the presence of their enemies, knowing that in Jesus Christ, the victory over death cannot be taken away.   Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 57.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitynlr.com. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us

Psalm 50 begins with the LORD summoning His people before Him for a trial. He does not keep silence, but calls out so that His people will listen to Him. He acknowledges that they have made sacrifices continually, but they have done so without faith, as if God needed something from them. Instead, God calls His people to offer their sacrifices with thanksgiving, to keep their vows to Him with faith, and to pray to Him in their time of need. To those who ignore His Word entirely, God speaks with rebuke for their repentance before the day of judgment comes. To the one who hears His call in faith, the LORD promises to show His salvation.  Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 50.  To learn more about Calvary Lutheran, visit calvarymechanicsburg.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the gr

Psalms 42 and 43 share a common refrain in which the psalmist recalls the comfort of the hope he has in God, his salvation, even in the midst of terrible turmoil. He thirsts to be with God, and yet, his enemies question where his God even is. He cries out to God who, at times, seems to have forgotten him. He prays that God would answer with light and truth and so bring him back to the altar of God. Through the ups and downs of this life, the psalmist’s focus—and ours—comes back over and over to the real hope that is found in the salvation of God.  Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalms 42 and 43.  To learn more about Redeemer Lutheran, visit Redeemer-Lawrence.org Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by R

Through use of an acrostic poem, David meditates on the reality that the LORD is faithful to His promises. Those who wait on Him have no need to worry over the wicked and their wickedness. When the righteous see the prosperity of the evil, falling into the same way of evil helps nothing; continued delight in the LORD who gives His children an eternal inheritance is the only answer. The wicked ultimately perish by their own devices, while the LORD establishes the steps of His people forever. Such patient trust in the LORD comes from the Word of God that dwells in the heart and on the lips of the righteous, and the LORD vindicates those who patiently trust in Him.  Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 37.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylcmsvinton.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in

Coming off the forgiveness of Psalm 32, Psalm 33 continues in joyous praise to the LORD for His upright Word by which He declares sinners righteous. By that Word, the LORD does His work of righteousness, justice, and steadfast love in all the earth. By that Word, the LORD created all things, so that all things should fear Him. For those nations who do not, the LORD brings their plans to frustration, for the strength of a nation, army, and war horse is ultimately a lie. Instead, the LORD chooses His people by His grace, and as His people wait on Him in hope, He does not disappoint their faith.   Rev. Dr. Ryan Tietz, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology and Dean of Students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 33.  To learn more about Concordia Theological Seminary, visit ctsfw.edu. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in

King David knows that he has nothing to fear because he has a true fear of the LORD, who alone is a sure salvation. No matter how many enemies array themselves against us, Christians confidently know that the LORD is over all armies, and so we seek the LORD where He has promised to be found. In that assurance, we cry out to the LORD and seek Him according to His Word, asking that He would teach us and lead us. His goodness gives us strength and courage to wait for Him, for we know that He will raise us from the dead on the Last Day.   Rev. Dan Torkelson, pastor at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Madison, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 27.  To learn more about Mt. Olive Lutheran, visit www.molc.us. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks a

The beloved imagery of Psalm 23 has long captivated Christians’ minds. The LORD is the Shepherd who guides His flock to needed sustenance of both body and soul. He gives, and we joyfully receive. Even in the darkness of death, we know that He is with us, and so we follow Him in confidence as He takes us through death and into life. Even as enemies surround us now, we rest and find refreshment at His overflowing table, knowing that He will pursue us and lead us into His house forever. As Jesus prays this psalm, He receives His Father’s faithful answer, so that we know that in Jesus, we have the answer to this psalm ourselves: Jesus is our Good Shepherd who has laid down His life and taken it back up again for us.  Rev. Merritt Demski, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church-Hanover in Alta, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 23.  To learn more about St. John Lutheran, visit stjohnhanover.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and

David blesses the people in the name of the God of Jacob who helps and supports His people from His holy dwelling. The LORD sees His people’s faithful worship and gives to them the godly desires that He works in their hearts so they sing for joy. The people of God confidently assert that the LORD does save His Anointed One. He is the One who wins the victory over the best manmade military efforts. He is the King of His people who answers His people’s prayer.  Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church and School in Oakmont, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 20.  To learn more about Redeemer Lutheran, visit www.redeemer-oakmont.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad contex