How do you live with the actions and choices made throughout your life? Are we to live in constant fear of what we do in life? How can we have confidence to press on in difficult times? Did these thoughts of doubt and fear go through David’s mind after the wicked deeds of Saul in 1 Samuel 22? In 1 Samuel 21 David has departed from Jonathan after he learned with certainty that Saul was desiring to kill him. David’s flight from Saul leads him to Nob where Ahimelech the priest lived and served the Lord. Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - God’s Sovereignty
Calamity ensues and God’s sovereignty endures: 1 Samuel 21 and 22
Many questions answered by God’s sovereignty: 1 Samuel 15 and 16
How are we to look upon failure in light of Saul’s kingship over Israel? What is God rejecting in Saul? Can we ever fail completely before God? Since God chose Saul as king over Israel didn’t he already know that Saul wouldn’t be a faithful king? Is Saul’s kingship an illustration of how apart from Jesus Christ we are unable to follow God? What traits did Saul exhibit that led to his turning aside from God? What does Saul’s failure mean for me today? How do I reject God as Saul did by choosing my own way over the way that God desires for me? How can I guard my heart from turning aside from God? The reading of 1 Samuel chapter 15 caused me to ask a lot of questions about who God is and His sovereignty. It is easy to look at the story of Saul’s kingship and think that he was cheated out of ruling Israel. The choice I make on a daily basis to either follow God’s commands or seek my own glory and way was the same choice that was faced by Saul when he was king over Israel. Saul chose to seek out his own way apart from God. I believe that God is sovereign and whatever He chooses to do is wholly right so when I see that the kingdom was taken away from Saul I can trust that God did it for His purpose and glory. Continue Reading…
God’s sovereignty displayed in the refinement of life: 1 Samuel 9 and 10
What would you do if you were walking down the street and someone came up to you and said that you were now the president? Would you take them seriously? I would think the person was crazy. In 1 Samuel 9 and 10 we are introduced to a Benjamite named Saul who is from the smallest tribe of Israel, and his family was the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Saul will be transformed from a man of no renown to a man lifted up and blessed by God to lead the Israelites as their king. Continue Reading…
Lack of regard for God leads to the demise of many: 1 Samuel 5 and 6
When the Israelites brought the Ark into battle with the Philistines they were expecting to have victory just as in the stories of Joshua but instead they were met with defeat at the hands of the Philistines resulting in the Ark of the Lord being captured. The Israelites replaced their devotion to God with idolatry where they valued the things around them, such as the Ark, in greater standing than God. In 1 Samuel chapters 5 and 6 we are given the details of what happened to the Ark during the 7 months that it was in the possessions of the Philistines and how it was brought back to the Israelites. Continue Reading…
Strength is nothing if not melded with faith in God: Judges 15 and 16
What is the most valuable thing that you possess? Does this possession draw your attention away from God? In Judges 15 and 16 we are given glimpses into the life of Samson continuing from what is described in chapters 13 and 14. He was set apart as a Nazirite from before his birth and it was evident that the Spirit of the Lord was with him. Samson was blessed with an amazing strength from God. He was used by God to begin freeing the Israelites from the Philistines. Samson used the strength which God blessed him with to judge Israel for twenty years. Continue Reading…
The better inheritance to desire found in Joshua 13 and 14
What type of inheritance do you desire? A few million dollars, some property, priceless works of art, or a collection of super cars would easily appear on my short list of things I wouldn’t object to inheriting. When I think of an inheritance it usually is inevitably linked to the death of someone, which makes it bitter sweet if you were close to them. What inheritance will your legacy produce? The things you set your heart on in this world create and build your legacy. If you build your legacy upon worldly wealth and renown instead of upon a foundation of faith in God what will your true legacy be? I challenge you to fix your eyes upon Jesus Christ and seek Him alone as your hope for a future legacy and the inheritance you leave to children and grandchildren. Continue Reading…
Pondering the Nephilim brings Hope for tomorrow: Joshua 11 and 12
I have had a few conversations with people recently where they claimed the Bible contradicted itself. The argument rests in the fact that God forbids murder but there is all the bloodshed that happens. I was reminded of the conversation I had because of all the bloodshed and killing in Joshua 11 and 12. Why did God allow these people to be killed? Is this a contradiction? How do we find the answers? As I have blogged my way through the Bible I have developed a greater understanding of the story. Let me share my thoughts with you. Continue Reading…
Confidence and pride destroyed by God in Joshua 5 and 6
How did the Canaanites react to the entry of the Israelites into their land? In Joshua 3:16 it says that the waters of the Jordan stood and rose up in one heap. This event would not go unnoticed by the Canaanites because having the water rise up in a heap is not something that was normally seen. Joshua 5:1 says that, “all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted and there was not spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel.” Fear spread throughout the land because God had showed His might and power before the Israelites. Continue Reading…
Does God test us, stand firm in faith: Deuteronomy 13 and 14
My reading today in Deuteronomy chapters 13 and 14 has left me asking a question: Does God test us? In Deuteronomy 13:3 it states that, “you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord you God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” The scripture says that God is testing the Israelites when there is a false prophet luring them away. This was something that I guess thought didn’t happen. I don’t know why I thought that because I honestly don’t have any reason to assume anything about God. Continue Reading…
Signpost to true satisfaction past disbelief: Numbers Summary
What is the book of Numbers all about. It starts with details on how the Israelite camp was arranged and it ends with laws about cities of refuge and inheritance. The journey which started in Exodus with the Israelites leaving captivity in Egypt and then learning to love and worship God in Leviticus heads into growing pains in Numbers. The people of Israel constantly grumbled against God even as he proves Himself faithful time and time again to them. The people consistently looked back to their old life in captivity and longed for what they saw as a better existence. I wonder if this existence was easier because in Egypt they were not constantly reminded of their dependance on God. It is always easier to complain about a problem or circumstance but once deliverance comes it can be more painful to be free than you would have ever realized. I think of drug addicts that may wish to be free from their dependancy on drugs but the road to overcome the addiction is blocked by an insurmountable wall. I think there was an insurmountable wall in the Israelites way. Continue Reading…
