Jonah’s Journey 4 – Running against God

There is a desire among some for a story or a recounting of a life episode to have a neat and complete resolution. Boy meets girl, boy likes girl, girl likes boy, slight misunderstanding, great return to each other, boy and girl live happily ever after. The story of Jonah refuses to be resolved so […]

Jonah’s Journey 3 – Running with God

Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish. (Jonah 3:9 NIV) If the book of Jonah was to be made into a film it would feature a cast of many. Group of sailors for the first chapter and representatives for the large city […]

Jonah’s Journey 2 – Running to God

But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord .’ (Jonah 2:9 NIV) The Bible is a record of God’s interactions with humanity since creation through a variety of situations. From these we learn a lot about […]

Jonah’s Journey 1 – Running from God

Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord , and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. (Jonah 1:15‭-‬16 NIV) Reading familiar stories in the Bible can lead to taking for granted elements of the story […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 31 – The King is Dead

When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 30 – A Fair Rescue Mission

Chapter 30 of 1 Samuel in itself could be a blockbuster action movie. Over 600 men return to their home town from a trip to fight in a battle that they were rejected from. As they return they find their town has been burnt to the ground and their families have been taken. All of […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 29 – The David Dilemma

So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 28 – Troubled Saul

When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? (1 Samuel 28:5‭, ‬16 NIV) Philistines vs Israel. Battles between the two appeared to be as regular as day following night. King Saul, […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 27 – Get Away

Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.” (1 Samuel 27:12 NIV) David was no fool. Just because Saul had made statements suggesting he would stop hunting him, he knew that Saul would be right back on his […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 26 – Reinforcing the Lesson

“The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord ’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” (1 Samuel 26:23‭-‬24 NIV) A […]