In our never-take-no-for-an-answer, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps culture, perhaps it is difficult to understand Jonathan’s actions in 1 Samuel 20:12-17. We live in a world where self-promotion is expected; encouragement to “look out for #1” is covertly or overtly stated in almost every advertisement. We often look for validation in job titles, paychecks, hit counts and followers. Jonathan […]
Lions and Bears as Training Aids
When David volunteered to confront Goliath to take away the reproach of Israel, Saul questioned David’s preparation for this task. David responds by informing Saul of times when he protected his sheep by killing a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-36). This story triggered two thoughts as I read it today. First, David was […]
Abandoned by God – 1 Samuel 15:35
1 Samuel 15:35 (ESV) 35 And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. Saul had abandoned God and as a result, God abandons Saul. Someone once said that we have two options which […]
The People Began to Scatter
I see in humans (principally in myself), an amazing ability to find good reasons to do the wrong thing. We (perhaps I am alone in this, but I think not) can muster arguments to do what we want even if it is not what we know is right.
A Lesson From Eli – Do not let comfort keep you from doing right
Comfort can make us resistant to necessary changes. Eli knew his sons were doing wrong but failed to offer correction. He can learn from him
The Low Whisper
God is not a bully who badgers people into submission to his will. He is a gentleman who patiently woos the object of his love. He speaks in a gentle and quiet whisper, drawing people to himself.
