Posts from March 2023
“Shemei’s Unexpected Example”
BIBLE READING: 11 Samuel 19-20 I don’t know a single person who likes to admit when they are wrong. It must have something to do with the way our brains are wired, but no one enjoys being wrong. Have you ever done something to someone with the assumption that you were in the right, only to discover later that you were really in the wrong? Then after you uncover your mistake, you must make that trip to that…
“Good Grief”
BIBLE READING: 11 Samuel 16-18 “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place.” — 2 Samuel 18:33 Family members grieved deeply when 32-year-old Cindy died, but they also experienced great comfort. They knew that Cindy had a strong personal faith in Jesus. They also were confident that she left this world knowing she was greatly loved. And when she died, they had no regrets because they had enjoyed a good…
“Confronting A Friend”
BIBLE READING: 11 Samuel 12-13 It is never easy to tell someone we care about that they are wrong. It is even harder to have someone tell us that our own behavior is out of line. Nathan knew that he had to give King David some difficult correction from God. He was probably nervous about how the powerful king would respond. Nathan chose a gentle way to help David understand the situation from another point of view. Nathan helped…
“Wanting What God Wants”
BIBLE READING: 11 Samuel 8-11 In 2 Samuel 11 we see the story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah. This is the story of David’s most well-known sin in committing adultery with Bathsheba and essentially murdering her husband Uriah. Most of us know this story but knowing this story and figuring out how we can learn from David’s sin are two totally different concepts. There is a lot we could focus on in this passage to learn from David,…
“It’s Not You, It’s Me”
BIBLE READING: 11 Samuel 4-7 We all know the story of how God struck down Uzzah because he touched the holy Ark of the Covenant, but why was God so angry? To begin with, God had given them strict orders that they were not touch the Ark in Numbers 4.15. Secondly, they were also given specific instructions on how to transport the ark in Exodus 25.14. Uzzah and the Israelites had disobeyed both commands when transporting the…
“There is Good in Everyone”
BIBLE READING: 11 Samuel 1-3 After the death of King Saul and Jonathan, the Bible records a lament from David. Within this lament David refers to Saul as “pleasant and lovely” (2 Samuel 1.23). Wow! Wait a minute…I can see David saying this about Jonathan, but Saul. Isn’t this the same Saul that had made it his life’s mission to kill David? If I am being honest, if someone was trying to kill me it would be very…
“How to Handle the Unknowns”
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 28-31 Panic has hit the camp of David. While David is returning from his rejection by the Philistines, the Amalekites have raided David’s camp in Ziklag. They burned the camp with fire and have taken the women and children as hostages. David and his men begin to panic. Are their families still alive? What did they do with them? Where did they take them? With all these unknowns, David’s men quickly turn on…
“A Good Name”
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 25-27 What do people think about you when they hear your name? Do they recall some of the times that the two of you spent together? Does an image of your face appear in their minds? Do they have pleasant thoughts concerning you, or are their thoughts more negative? For instance, if I say the name Adolph Hitler, you instantly have negative thoughts about him because of what you know about him. On the…
“Help Others”
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 18-20 This chapter presents an interesting shift in Israel’s regard from Saul to David. Saul’s initial enthusiasm for David quickly deteriorated into suspicion and fear, as David’s popularity and prominence in Israel grew. Every step upward for David seemed to be a step downward for Saul. Every attempt Saul made to squelch David’s popularity had the opposite effect, making him even more admired. Saul, instead of honoring his pledge to release David, decided to conscript…
“The Giant’s Aha Moment”
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 16-17 A few years ago, our class studied Kyle Idelman’s book “Aha: The God Moments That Changes Everything”. Although I may not agree with all his theology, I do think his thoughts are spot-on with this issue. There comes a time when everyone will have that light go off in their head and they realize that God is real. This “Aha” Moment comes in many forms; it might be a medical diagnosis, tragedy, or…
“Surrounding Yourself with the Right kind of People”
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 14-15 Saul’s reign as the King of Israel is about to spiral out of control because of his pride and arrogance. Yet even though he will be forever remembered for his faults, there are a few bright spots that we can learn from his life. One of those bright spots in the life of Saul is that he knew how to surround himself with the right kind of people. We know that as soon…
“Timing is Everything”
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 11-13 Up until I Samuel 13, things had been going pretty well for Israel’s first King. Saul had been anointed King and had served for two years and all seemed to be going according to plan. Jonathan, his son, had attacked a garrison of the Philistines and the world was finding out that you don’t mess with God’s people. However, it doesn’t take long for things to begin to go south. After Jonathan’s attack,…