David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1) Doing what's right can sometimes be risky. I was watching an episode of MasterChef a few months ago, and one of the contestants forgot to grab a certain ingredient. Due to the rules, she wasn't allowed back into the kitchen, so she began asking ... [Continue Reading]
Truly Humbled (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17)
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!” (2 Samuel 7:18-19) David had every reason ... [Continue Reading]
God’s Guiding Presence (2 Samuel 5:1-10; 1 Chronicles 10, 11:1-9)
And [David] became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. (2 Samuel 5:1-10) A very stark contrast existed between King David and King Saul as it came to God's presence in their leadership. The difference between the two men was that David sought to bring glory to the Lord and Saul sought to bring glory to himself. Since David's efforts were ... [Continue Reading]
Authority’s Origin (2 Samuel 1-4)
David asked him, “Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” (2 Samuel 1:14) Authority always answers to a higher authority. It's true. Just think about it. I own my house, but the government could confiscate it at any time. At work you probably have a boss, who has a boss, who has a boss, who has a board of directors. The board of ... [Continue Reading]
Your Source of Strength (1 Samuel 30-31)
But David found strength in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6b) There are many places where people go to find strength. Some find it in wealth, some find it in position, and others find it in their physical bodies. Those are just a few examples, but you get the idea. The fascinating characteristic about King David that made him categorically different than every other ... [Continue Reading]
On Receiving Advice (1 Samuel 24-26)
The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. (1 Samuel 24:4) Not all advice is good advice. In fact, we've all had times when we've received bad advice and suffered as a result of it. So how do you know ... [Continue Reading]
God of the Impossible (1 Samuel 13-14)
Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God. (1 Samuel 14:15) God is the One who moves hearts and minds. When I think about how hard it is for me to simply change myself, I come to the realization of just how hard it is to try and change someone else. Why ... [Continue Reading]
Leading with Courage (1 Samuel 10-12)
But when they looked for [Saul], he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.” (1 Samuel 21b-22) King Saul's momentous coronation was fraught with problems from the get go. As the ceremony was about to begin, Saul wasn't found wooing the crowds but hiding in ... [Continue Reading]
One Generation (Judges 1-2)
After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10) All it takes is one generation to make a difference. One generation has the power to be a force of positive change, and it also has the power to drive a nation to its knees. There was a generation in ... [Continue Reading]
Though None Goes With Me… (Joshua 11, 14:6-15)
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. (Joshua 14:7-8) There's something special about a person who is ... [Continue Reading]
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