Steve Hankins, Th.D.

Feeling Abandoned Never Forsaken

“For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.” (Isaiah 54:7, ESV) Many years ago, we used to vacation at the Jersey shore. These were some of the most relaxing of our summer vacations. However, they were not without some interesting experiences. One hot summer day we were allContinue reading “Feeling Abandoned Never Forsaken”

Complete Victory

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we likeContinue reading “Complete Victory”

Beautiful Feet

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” (Isaiah 52:7, ESV) I remember a missionary to Indonesia named John Wilson who had the opportunity to take the gospel to anContinue reading “Beautiful Feet”

The Foundation

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.” (Isaiah 51:1, ESV) Here the Lord gives words of encouragement to the faithful remnant of Israel who were pursuing righteousness. Israel was to endure theContinue reading “The Foundation”

Contrasts

“Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” (Isaiah 50:10, ESV) When I took a course in photography, I remember learning something about contrasts. We could take aContinue reading “Contrasts”

Not Forgotten

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.“ (Isaiah 49:15, ESV) Can you remember the things you have forgotten? Of course not. In a lifetime, we remember a lot, but also forget much. ResearchersContinue reading “Not Forgotten”

The Light of Hope

“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6, ESV) When growing up, myContinue reading “The Light of Hope”

The Blessings of Faith

17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. 18 Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness likeContinue reading “The Blessings of Faith”

Purpose of Discipline

“For my name’s sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,Continue reading “Purpose of Discipline”