SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. [1 Samuel 22:2] I see two reflections of Jesus in this passage. One is how it was society’s rejects that gathered around David; the same happened with Jesus,…
Author: Norm
heart of the Law
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away. [1 Samuel 21:6] Jesus uses this story to shed light on His perspective on…
more church in action
I love the part where he reflects on the idea that maybe the rich are not so rich afterall, and the poor are not so poor afterall. What we can learn from each other, if only we would break down the man-made barriers that divide us, and discover our roots in God that unite us!
a little drama for your day
no greater love
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. [1 Samuel 20:17] Love your neighbour as yourself. The assumption in this statement is that we naturally love (or look out for) ourselves the most. Even those with low self-esteem feel bad about themselves…
the Spirit speaks
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 19 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, “Is…
success through surrender
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. [1 Samuel 18:14-15] Saul is not stupid, he sees what is happening. David is quickly becoming a rival to his throne. And since God made it plain to…
our Champion!
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands. [1 Samuel 17:47] What guarantees success in whatever challenges or battles we face? Does the strongest always win? The biggest?…
He knows my heart
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” [1 Samuel 16:7] In this world, the lucky ones are the…
seriousness of sin
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys. [1Samuel 15:3] Let’s be honest, isn’t this ethnic cleansing? A whole people group wiped out? Were they were such terrible…