Month: July 2015

Summer of Faith In I Samuel 25 we learn that David and his men spent months protecting wealthy Nabal’s herds and shepherds. When the bountiful time of shearing came they expected payment. But instead of blessing those who had helped him, Nabal, true to his name (fool) sends them away empty-handed and even insults the … Read More

The relationship between David and King Saul is one of the strangest ever recorded in the Bible. David came to Saul’s rescue on several occasions, he was best friends with the king’s son, and he married the king’s daughter. But still, Saul was out to get the former shepherd boy. Twice Saul tried to spear … Read More

1 Samuel 23 We know early on in life that David had the favor of God resting on him. Here, we begin to discover David as a man seeking after the Lord rather than a man seeking the hand of God. Several times in this chapter, he seeks the Lord. 2- In courage- David could … Read More

“All those who were is distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.” (1 Samuel 22:2) That’s me: discontent, in distress, broken. We all show up that way on God’s doorstep. The world screaming FAILURE in our ears & doubt clouds our … Read More

1 Samuel 21:10-22:2   As I glanced through the mail, some words on a card from a charitable organization caught my eye: WE NEED YOUR DISCARDS! The meaning was straightforward and simple: Whatever you don’t want, we’ll take. Those household items you call rubbish, rejects, throwaways, and junk, we’ll use to help people in need. … Read More

In I Samuel 20 Saul is determined to kill David to protect his royal lineage, but Saul’s son Johnathon (the heir to his throne) was even more determined to bless and protect his friend. Neither David nor Johnathon could reason with Saul, let alone persuade him to act honorably, but they could choose to act … Read More

You’ll see in 1 Samuel 19 that David had three friends who saved his life.   Saul’s son Jonathan loved David as his best friend, and he saved David on multiple occasions.  David’s wife Michal saved David’s life twice, and then Samuel saved David’s life multiple times.  Just as God placed friends in David’s life to save him, he has also placed … Read More

1 Samuel 18 Corresponding actions should follow a lifestyle filled with faith where Jesus is at the center. Inversely, corresponding actions will follow a lifestyle driven by fear. Which one are you living in? The fear symptons outline this chapter. See if any of these apply to you. Fear of man: Saul was angry and … Read More

“…’I cannot go in these,’ he said to Saul, ‘because I am not used to them.’ So he took them off.” (1 Samuel 17:39b, NIV) You know the story: small shepherd boy David (future king) defies the odds & defeats Goliath with a slingshot & single stone. Before the Israelite army stood a seemingly insurmountable … Read More

1 Samuel 16: 7 The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (NIV) We are accustomed to reading this verse and thinking about others. We know that we cannot tell what is really going on with a person simply … Read More