SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. [2 Samuel 5:10] The Lord does not show favouritism [Romans 2:11], yet He favours some, not others [Genesis 4:4-5]. David is favoured and he becomes more powerful, but Saul is not. Isn’t this favouritism? We see a similar observation about Jesus:…
Author: Norm
when ‘normal’ isn’t right
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: How much more–when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed–should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!” [2 Samuel 4:11] David’s thinking was so different from the ‘normal’ thinking of the day. Other kings would thank whoever…
the view from above
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. [2 Samuel 3:1] In today’s reading, we see God’s purpose unfolding in the midst of the turbulent day-to-day grind. From a God perspective, David…
(un)civil war
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?” [2 Samel 2:26] A civil war is anything but civil. In this chapter, Israel is divided after Saul’s death, with David…
as He sees me!
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Saul and Jonathan– in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. [2 Samuel 1:23] It is not uncommon after someone dies that their loved ones mostly remember the good things. Rarely during a eulogy will someone describe the…
what really matters
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [Galatians 6:2] Paul concludes his letter with an appeal to focus on faith expressing itself through love, and not on being religious (whether a person is circumcised or not). God is much more concerned about how we treat…
what we look like together
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of…
a Jesus-shaped heart
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of…
a special relationship
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,…
innocent?
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. [Galatians 3:24-25] Paul is eager to show that following the Law will not help us, for only by keeping…