But thou O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Ps.3:3 He is the friend of sinners; He is the one who never leaves me or forsakes me. He is the one who can encourage my heart when it feels like the…

Lessons from 1 Chronicles 13 — The deeper I think about this chapter the deeper I think… David, the man after God’s own heart, the man God anointed to take over the kingdom, the man who was to unite Israel, wanted to bring the Ark back to its rightful place. As we read, we can see…

Encouragement amidst the battle — 14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all…

The God who is faithful — It is written about David that he was a man after God’s own heart. God says to Saul: But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s…

A hero has fallen: Judges 16 — Those Philistines are everywhere! They followed Samson like flies to a bad smell. Samson fell in love. When we read Judges 16 one might wonder if Samson was a little dense. The love of his life asks him what his deepest secret is, the source of his great strength. The…

Ponder your pronouncements before making promises; Judges 11 — Two things stand out to me from this chapter. No matter who you are or your heritage, God has a plan and destiny for you. Second, words are vitally important, and we should count them and consider them. Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. But it was also recorded…

Musings from Judges 8 — As I read through the Old Testament, I see how many times Israel, God’s chosen people, turn their backs on God and go back to living and serving other gods. As I read this chapter down deep inside, I felt like saying, “not again!” God showed His mighty favor and…

Musings on Judges 6 — There are so many wonderful truths encapsulated in this Judges chapter 6. I feel like this chapter belongs in the file of things that make you go, hmmm. The Angel of the Lord came and sat down with Gideon. Judges 6:11 He answered Gideon's questions. Not all of them that…

Perseverance, wisdom, and knowledge prevail against all odds. Joshua 17 — Once again tucked in the midst of the mapping out of the land of Israel is a story that both admonishes and encourages us all. Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names…