Is it easy to become too familiar with stories in the Bible causing us to not reread them to discover the truths they hold. In 1 Samuel 17 the story of David fighting Goliath is retold but it was easy for me to want to read the story with less attention to detail because I know the story? The story of God using a small shepherd by to kill the champion of the Philistines exemplifies God using strength found in weakness to bring down the powerful but what else is conveyed in the story of David and Goliath? What were the thoughts and feelings of the men in the army of Israel as they were facing Goliath? What changes are evident in Saul’s leadership of the people? Did Saul’s lack of dependance upon God transfer into the men he led causing them to become fearful? Continue Reading…
David fights Goliath as a jealous Saul looks on in 1 Samuel 17 and 18
Jesus Christ is the only hope for today and forever: 1 Samuel 7 and 8
“If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:3 NASB Look at the language that Samuel uses to speak to the Israelites. Is the deliverance from God something conditional that needs the positive response of the Israelites before it will come to pass? Continue Reading…
Leave lethargy by loving God and loving people: Judges 19 and 20
My reading of Judges 19 and 20 today filled me with a sense of sadness and fear. I initially started reading looking for the positive side of the story presented, looking for the judge that will come and deliver the people of Israel. I was filled with sadness when I read about the action and inaction of the sons of Israel and seeing how far they strayed from the desires of God. I was also filled with fear because I realize how much I am like the Israelites because our common inherent sinful nature. What was lacking that made the Israelites wander so far astray from God? Do I display their same faults that are leading me down a path of destruction and chaos just like the Israelites? Continue Reading…
Falling away from God leads to your own demise: Joshua Summary
The book of Joshua is a stands in stark contrast to the books of Liviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The writing of the book is in a narrative form which lends for easier reading. I found that the narrative was a great switch from the books detailing the law but it became too easy to miss important truths. The story of Joshua is a time of promises being fulfilled to the Israelites. Under the leadership of Joshua the Israelites were able to conquer the promised land and enter into a time of peace but there is a great warning woven throughout the book that is of the utmost importance to the people of Israel and myself. 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…
Following God in the face of deception: Joshua 9 and 10
What happens when we disobey God? What happens when we obey God? Why should we care? There is a story to be found about following and obeying God in Joshua chapters 9 and 10. In Joshua chapter 7 when the Israelites attacked Ai they were defeated by a substantially smaller force because they did not have God’s blessing and in fact God’s anger was kindled against Israel. The disobedience of Achan had made the Israelites unable to fight. Did pride filled their hearts as they thought the people of Ai to be an easy to defeat? In Joshua 9 and 10 the Israelites had moments where they could have again had the wrath of God turn upon them but in this moment the leaders choose to obey God instead of following their own way. Continue Reading…
Remember to love God and love people: Deuteronomy Summary
If my life is motivated by an ambition to leave a legacy, what I would probably leave is a legacy of ambition. But, if my life is motivated by the power of God’s spirit in me and the awareness of the indwelling Christ, if I allow His presence to guide my motives, that’s the only time I think we really leave a great legacy.
-Rich Mullins
This is my favorite quote of mine is a unique way to sum up Deuteronomy. What will your legacy be built upon? What is your motivation in life? Why do you do what you do? These and many more questions are answered within Deuteronomy. Continue Reading…
Overtaken by curses or blessings, your choice will be evident in your actions: Deuteronomy 27 and 28
What would overtake you? I remember the feeling of speeding along in my car loving life as the wind blew through my hair when suddenly I felt despair and regret as I saw red and blue lights flashing behind me. I was quickly overtaken and pulled overtaken because I was breaking the law. Being pulled over for speeding is one poignant example of being overtaken but there are many things that we can be overtaken by some of which we would welcome and others we would dread. In Deuteronomy chapters 27 and 28 God makes a promise to the Israelites that they will be overtaken by either blessings or curses and this outcome will be directly related to their obedience or disobedience. The choice was theirs. What was their reaction to this promise from God? What would be your reaction to hearing that? Continue Reading…
Loving God, loving people, and The Story: Deuteronomy 15 and 16
I love how reading through Deuteronomy is not seeming as burdensome as I thought when I started working through the book. I initially thought that I would become bored because of all of the repeated information that I have already blogged about from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. I have however found that the repeating of key details and commands within Deuteronomy were what Moses knew the people of Israel needed to remember and those facts are also necessary for me to remember. Every chapter as I remember that these are the final words from Moses to the people that he led for over forty years I become sad because I know that change is coming within the story. Continue Reading…
