When the [Israelite] soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” (1 Samuel 4:3) There is a human tendency to believe that God can be managed. Rather than seeking to do ... [Continue Reading]
Beauty from Ashes (1 Samuel 1-3)
Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. (1 Samuel 1:6-7) It seems that brokenness is often a character trait of those who are going to be used by God. Why? Perhaps it's because ... [Continue Reading]
Going the Distance (Ruth)
“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ... [Continue Reading]
Not Even a Hint (Judges 20-21)
The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” The Lord replied, “Judah shall go first.” (Judges 20:18) At first glance, it's uncomfortable to imagine that God encouraged Israel to fight against the Benjamites - one of the nation's own tribes of people. What could possibly have been worthy ... [Continue Reading]
True North (Judges 18-19)
When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel. Everyone who saw it was saying to one another, “Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Just imagine! We must do something! So speak up!” (Judges 19:29-30) Isn't it true ... [Continue Reading]
Connect the Dots (Judges 16-17)
When Micah returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I solemnly consecrate my silver to the Lord for my son to make an image overlaid with silver. I will give it back to you.” (Judges 17:3) Have you ever had a moment when someone said something that was logical to him or her but that, in reality, made no sense at all? You wonder to yourself ... [Continue Reading]
Listen Up (Judges 14-15)
His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” (Judges 14:3) When I was young I always felt that my parents didn't really know what they were talking about. After all, ... [Continue Reading]
The Praying Parent (Judges 12-13)
Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.” (Judges 13:8) Parents have a responsibility to pray for their children. I'm a relatively new parent, and I'm learning the value of prayer in relationship to my new role. How do I be a good father? ... [Continue Reading]
Promises (Judges 10-11)
And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” (Judges 11:30-31) In a world where we face broken promises from politicians, celebrities, and others, promises don't seem like that ... [Continue Reading]
Keeping Your Head in Check (Judges 7-8)
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’” (Judges 7:2) It's not that God wants weak people, per se. In fact, as you look at some of the people that God has used over time, there have been some very strong people (like Samson, David's mighty men, Saul, ... [Continue Reading]
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