In the story of 1 Samuel 17, we meet a giant problem. And it has a name: Goliath. The man was huge. The English Standard Version says his height was "six cubits and a span," which means he was over nine feet tall. His armor weighed five thousand shekels, which is 125 pounds, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels, which is 15 pounds. The weight of his gear … [Read more...] about Giant Problem
Forever Promise
[Sermon Notes] Forever Promise | 2 Samuel 7:1-17 Introduction What is the power of a promise? Allow me to read you an excerpt from a wedding sermon delivered to a couple standing at the altar: “Getting married is making a promise. What is a promise? It is a forward-facing commitment. And that means today is not so much about the past. The past has led you to this … [Read more...] about Forever Promise
Weakness Upon Weakness
Turns outreceiving “grace upon grace”often looks likereceiving weaknessupon weakness.If God’s power ismade perfect in weakness,and this power-through-weaknesscomes with his sufficient grace,then I guess it makes sense:weakness gestates, mediatesgrace.Welcome weakness. … [Read more...] about Weakness Upon Weakness
Habits of Attention
Sometimes a habit is a placeholder for attention. The habit of daily tracking a budget through a smartphone app can keep us attentive to our financial obligations and goals. The habit of keeping a food journal can lead to a better diet and weight loss simply through creating attentiveness to food. The habit of reading the verse of the day can keep us pegged to the Word … [Read more...] about Habits of Attention
King Ambivalence
In 1 Samuel 8:4–7, we read, “[4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah [5] and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” [6] But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. [7] And the … [Read more...] about King Ambivalence