1 Samuel 13-14

We are given a contrast between King Saul and his son, Prince Jonathan.  Saul is rash, hot headed and is loyal to God in sudden bursts.  Jonathan is faithful, deliberate and marked by loyalty.

I'm glad God gives us glimmers of hope in this story.

Read it here.

1 Samuel 11-12

Don't turn away to follow worthless things that can't profit or deliver you; they are worthless.

Why do we want to exchange worship of the Lord who has faithfully done great things for us for "worship" (following) worthless things?

And why does God keep chasing us?

Because that's who we are and that's who He is.

Read it here.

1 Samuel 9-10

"There was no one more impressive than he."  Things are looking good for Israel.  They got what they wanted... a king! ... and he's everything they'd hoped for.  Surely NOW they will be happy and content.

God really did set Saul up for success.  If only Saul had stayed as humble as he was when God called him.  But that's not the way this story will play out...

Read it here.

1 Samuel 7-8

Be careful what you ask for.  Sometimes God will say "yes" to our pleas - but only to show us how pitiful and short-sighted we are.

I'm stunned at God's patience.  The people cry out for a king ... but not one with a capital "K".

Read it here.

1 Samuel 5-6

Don't mess with God.  I don't care if you're a Philistine or an Israelite - don't mess with God!

Could we use a little of this in our day?

Read it here.

1 Samuel 3-4

Samuel is called by God - even at an early age.  But his entrance is marked by times which are very dark and bleak.  A dying woman - seeing the signs of the times - names her child "Ichabod" (the glory has departed).  That's how bad things are.  But keep reading because God isn't done writing this story!

Read it here.

1 Samuel 1-2

We begin our journey into the time of the kings of Israel.  Israel is coming out of the tumultuous times of the Judges and is looking for hope and stability.  The three main characters in the book of 1 Samuel are Samuel, Saul and David.  But first you'll meet Hannah!  Many world-changing leaders become so due to the influence of an incredible mother.

Read it here.

Psalms 38 and 39

"Hurry to help me, Lord, my Savior!"  That is the final cry of Ps. 38 and it is the theme of this desperate song.  Let the emotion and desperation of the song-writer compel you and teach you to pray.

Psalm 39 contains a cold, hard slap of reality.  "Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow.  Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them."  Wait...was this psalm written to Americans in 2012???  God's Word is living and active and new every morning!

Read them here.

Psalm 37

This psalm has been a guide to me at countless points in my life.  Pray before you read it.  Ask God to reveal truth to you - putting new light on your path.  He will answer that prayer!

Read it here.

Psalms 35 and 36

Life isn't fair.  Way too often the bad guys win and the good guys suffer.  Have you ever talked to God about that?  The psalmist teaches us how... Psalm 35

Listen to this description of the wicked person: "In his own eyes he flatters himself too much to discover and hate his sin" (36:2).  OUCH!  That one strikes a little too close to home!

God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings! (Amen!)

Read them here.

Psalms 33 & 34

"A king is not saved by a large army;
a warrior will not be delivered by great strength."

What are we trusting in for security?  safety?  protection?

"The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues him."

These are some sweet psalms!

Read them here.

Psalm 31-32

Psalm 31 is a powerful and honest prayer - recognizing our sinfulness and our dependence on the faithfulness of God.

Psalm 32 bursts with joy for the one who is forgiven!  Have we lost the discipline of confession?  Look at the beautiful results from one who confesses to God and finds forgiveness!

Read them here.

Psalm 30

You turned my lament into dancing; 
You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.

What a beautiful picture!  God can do that.

Read it here.

Psalms 28-29

Save Your people, bless Your possession, shepherd them, and carry them forever (28:9).  The psalmist is clearly afraid as he pens these words.  This life offers us many opportunities for fear.  But the psalmist teaches us where to go with our fear.

The Lord blesses His people with peace (29:11).

AMEN!

Read them here.

Psalm 27

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me (Ps 27:10).

Man, this psalm fills me with worship, awe, and a sense of security!

Read it here.

Psalm 26

The first three verses of this psalm should frame our approach to God every day.

Read it here.

Psalms 24 & 25

The earth and everything in it, the world and all its inhabitants, belong to the Lord.  So why do I keep trying to grab it and call it "mine"???

Then the next psalm gives me a great response... Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths.  Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation.

Read it here.

Judges 19-21

If you thought you'd hit the bottom in Judges, think again.  Today's stories are revolting.  Can this stuff really be in the Bible???

The book ends by repeating this timeless and poignant verse... In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted.

We need Jesus!

Read it here.

Judges 17-18

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted (17:6).  The spiral into unbridled lawlessness is shocking.  We can't be too accusatory, though.  Let the Bible be a mirror.  Where would I be if God did not reign me back?

We need Jesus!

Read it here.

Judges 15-16

Samson and Delilah.  What comes to mind when you hear those names together?  What a crazy story unfolds.  It is reckless passion, lies, betrayal, revenge and murder-suicide.

This is yet another example of how the Bible speaks truth - even when the truth of what really happened is less-than-flattering!

Read it here.

Judges 13-14

Samson had godly parents.  And God was with him from his earliest days.  So what went wrong?  It seems that he always knew what was right and had sincere faith (see Hebrews 11:32).  But he was also driven by sensual impulses and recklessness.

What might God have done through him had he stayed on the path?

Read it here.

Judges 11-12

"Jephthah the Gileadite was a great warrior but he was the son of a prostitute."  So begins this saga in the book of Judges.  Jephthah gives us a glimpse into the chaotic and tumultuous times of the Judges.

Jephthah made two horrific mistakes - and he foolishly did so in the name of the Lord.  He made an irrational vow and then he chose to keep his irrational vow.  Remember that the book describes the events as they unfolded.  It rarely offers commentary on God's opinion of those events.  Jephthah was wrong.

Hold on ... Samson's next.

Read it here.