Category Archives: Old Testament

“Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else.” (1 Samuel 8:6 MSG) The Israelites were a chosen people. They were meant to stand out not fit in. Unfortunately, they decided to become “like everybody else” when they asked the prophet Samuel for a king just like the other nations around them (1 SamuelContinueContinue reading “You’re Not Everybody Else”

Samuel said, “What on earth are you doing?” Saul answered, “When I saw I was losing my army from under me, and that you hadn’t come when you said you would, and that the Philistines were poised at Micmash, I said, ‘The Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal, and I haven’tContinueContinue reading “Keep Your Appointment With God”

Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?” (1 Samuel 20:30 NIV) Saul was furious. He couldn’t understandContinueContinue reading “Power Struggle”

And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:9 NIV) My Bible reading plan has taken back to the book of First Samuel where we’re introduced to the monarchy in Israel. When Saul, Israel’s first chosen king, failed to obey God and fulfill His purpose, God anointed another manContinueContinue reading “Jealousy Creates an Enemy”

I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God.(Nehemiah 13:31 NIV) While people may not necessarily notice or reward us for doing good, God does and that’s all that matters. That’s why in the final chapter of the book, Nehemiah prayed three timesContinueContinue reading “Doing Good”

“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.” (Genesis 33:10 NIV) Prior to his encounter with his older brother Esau, Jacob had encountered God face to faceContinueContinue reading “Seeing the Face of God”

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. (Psalm 51:17 NLT) Our heart says a lot about us. Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury ofContinueContinue reading “A Heart that Pleases God”