The book of 1 Samuel starts with a godly woman praying for a son, and that son, Samuel, grew up and became one of the most important people in Israel. He was both judge and prophet, and he led the people well. He was as godly as his mother and a great man of faith….
Read MoreMonth: May 2025
Be Careful What You Ask For: Israel’s First King
Israel asked God for a king (see here), and he gave them what they wanted. The question was, who would be that king? There once lived a well-off man named Kish. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, and he had a son named Saul. Saul was an impressive young man, at least to the…
Read MoreWhen God Lets Us Have Our Way
When I became a dad, I made an important decision — I was not going to say certain things that my parents had said to me. Things like, “Because I said so,” “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” and “Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about.” And the classic, “If Jimmy jumped off…
Read MoreQuick Fix Faith: When We Want God’s Help Without Holiness
One of mankind’s greatest inventions is duct tape. Nothing breaks that can’t be fixed with good old duct tape. I’ve seen water bottles sealed, shoes fixed, cell phone screens repaired, and even side-view mirrors held onto cars by duct tape. Don’t knock that last one until you try it — I know from experience. Deep…
Read MoreGod Still Speaks: Will You Listen?
The third chapter of 1 Samuel marks a turning point in the history of Israel. God had not spoken to his people for a very long time. Sin was so rampant among his people that he chose to remain silent: Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of…
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