Scotty Smith
The Gospel Coalition
Franklin, TN, United States
Contact Scotty
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Past articles by Scotty:
The War in the Ukraine: Praying, Hurting, Longing
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them… They will neither harm nor destroy anywhere on my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 11:6–9 Lord Jesus, our hearts break, our anger is growing, our fears are real.… → Read More
When Trauma Hides His Lovely Face
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 Lord Jesus, we’ll never enter death’s dark, shadowy valley alone, or experience a Christ-absent crisis, betrayal, or trauma. Life between your resurrection and return includes clear signs of your present and coming Kingdom. But it also continues to include painful incidents which remind us just how broken the… → Read More
Putting on Jesus
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies…” (Eph. 6:10-11); “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 13:14) Lord Jesus, we easily forget our greatest enemies in life aren’t people, but principalities and powers. Though you crushed the… → Read More
A Blue Lamborghini or a Gospel Heart?
“I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14 Lord Jesus, we know this passage isn’t a “blank check,” with your signature already affixed, just waiting for us to fill in the purchase and amount. You’re not a “genie in a bottle granting wishes,” you’re our Shepherd-King on his… → Read More
Time Away
A few thoughts on stepping away from online writing during the month of July. → Read More
Shaky Markets, True Riches, and Heart Contentment
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Prov. 23:5 (NIV) Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Heb. 13:5 (ESV) “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21… → Read More
Our Constant Savior in Our Changing World
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb. 13:8 Lord Jesus, I’m not a big fan of surprises and change. I like controlled excitement and planned adventure; blessed familiarity and comfortable predictability. But until the Day of “all things new,” we live in a world of all things disruptable, changeable, and breakable. Flights get canceled, and critters make our home theirs.… → Read More
The Shocking, Generous, Counterintuitive Wonder of the Gospel
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are… → Read More
Enjoyment as an Act of Obedient Love
So I commend the enjoyment of life because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. Eccles. 8:15 Heavenly Father, I woke up in Montana today, and it is jump-starting my joy and fueling my worship. Thank you for commanding Sabbath rest and daily joy.… → Read More
Those Days When It’s Easier to Whine Than Worship
Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isa. 40:27–29 Gracious… → Read More
When We Don’t See Eye-to-Eye Theologically
The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone. 2 Tim. 2:24 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Gal. 5:14-15 (NIV) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 1 Cor.… → Read More
A Prayer for Preaching the Gospel to Ourselves
I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:15–17 (NIV) Lord Jesus, I share Paul’s eagerness to preach the… → Read More
God’s Schedule Trumps “Swiss Timing”
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you. 2 Pet. 3:8-9 (NIV) Heavenly Father, you’ve written this good news in your Word; please quicken it to our hearts. Thank you for being patient with our impatience and… → Read More
GOD is Author, Editor, and Publisher of Our Stories
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer. 29:11 Heavenly Father, this well-known, oft’-quoted verse both challenges and comforts us. It challenges the part of us that wishes you’d simply sign off on the plans we’d make for ourselves. We’d write stories that include as few crises and crucibles as possible, no… → Read More
A Prayer for a Gospel-Shaped 2019
This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have… → Read More
Jesus Holds Us Tightly and Tenderly
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32 (NIV) Lord Jesus, this passage records a tender moment and a glorious mystery.… → Read More
What Does Loving Well Look Like?
Do everything in love. 1 Cor. 16:10 Heavenly Father, “Do everything in love?… seriously? There’s only one way we can begin to love this often, this deeply, and this sincerely. It’s only because you’ve hidden our lives in Jesus, have given us your Spirit, and promise us sufficient grace. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We love because you first loved us and gave Jesus as our perfect and complete… → Read More
Think About Such Things
We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Rom. 12:2 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil.… → Read More
The Matchless, Scandalous, Awesomeness of the Gospel
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are… → Read More
Humility with Zero “Buts”
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Ps. 51:1-2 Heavenly Father, this Scripture is both encouraging and convicting. Few things are as attractive as genuine humility. It’s like a five-course meal in a five-star bistro nestled in the Swiss Alps. When… → Read More