Psalm 47

“Sing praises with a skillful psalm” (v7). Skillful is Hebrew Maskil. It refers to a type of psalm that gives wisdom and insight and provides language for the heart that is bursting with praise, a spontaneity of worship. It senses the goodness and greatness of God and those moments should lead us to greater understanding of Him (1 Cor 14:15).

The Psalm is one of joyful celebration calling for clapping of hands, shouting to God, singing loud songs of joy, recognizing his pow

...

1 Samuel 24

“May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you” (12). The war between the house of David and house of Saul comes to a head. Saul with his 3000 best soldiers seeks to end it. Outnumbered and trapped in the caves, David is given the perfect opportunity for victory, but is “struck in the heart” (5). He knows that “out of wickedness comes wickedness” (13). He chooses God’s way instead of his own.

Victory by any means does not honor God. We “fight” fo

...

1 Samuel 23

“Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you” (17). Unlike Saul, David “inquired of the Lord” (2,4,11) seeking the Lord’s wisdom that led to victory over the Philistines (5). God’s priest and the holy ephod become the temporary “tabernacle” moving with David (6-8). Alternatively, “Saul sought him every day” but was blind to David’s movements (14). Even when Saul has the upper hand, God’s guidance provides an escape (28). Jonathan, the “rightful” heir to

...

1 Samuel 22

“Everyone in distress, in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him” (2). David is not alone in being an outcast under Saul’s narcissistic rule - “None of you is sorry for me” (8). By Saul’s sacrilegious command and the treachery of Doeg, the priests of God are murdered, one remains alive. Abiathar finds a home as David takes him in saying, “Stay with me; do not be afraid” (23).

David’s “mighty men” began as outcasts and sinners. God’s people never begin as

...

1 Samuel 21

“There is none like that; give it to me” (9). Saul’s anger makes David a fugitive. David flees to the temporary tabernacle in Hob. “What do you have on hand?” (5) Hungry and unarmed, David seeks what he and his men need. He finds the greatest weapons – Goliath’s  sword and consecrated bread to eat. With no place to call home, he seeks allies among the Philistines (an enemy of my enemy), but finds no safety and escapes by wily deception (13). 

Though circumstances are far fr

...

Luke 22

“I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (32). The tension between Jesus and the religious leaders has reached the climax. Judas’ betrayal is set (6). Peter believes he is ready to face the battle ahead (35), but Jesus knows that the next 72 hours will be the darkest of days. Peter’s self-confidence will be dashed when he “denies” Jesus “three times” (34,62). All the disciples begin to realize some of what lies ahead and they are “exhausted by sorrow” (45). 

Eve

...

Luke 21

“Straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (28). Jesus warns the disciples of Jerusalem’s destruction. They are not to fear (9), because these signs of war and earthquakes are to be expected in a fallen world. These events are NOT an indication of God’s absence. He is with us and ultimately “not a hair of your head will perish” (18). 

As believers we will live in a tumultuous world. We can have confidence that our lives are not defined by

...

Psalm 46

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (1). The psalmist knows that this world and our lives can seem chaotic; at times we fear the instability is so great that the world may “give way” and tumble in the “heart of the sea.”  In the face of instability, our confidence is in the “city of God” (4). This city of refuge “will not be moved” (5) no matter how the world seems to shake (6).

When our whole society seems shaken, we can “be still” (10) becaus

...

1 Samuel 19-20

“May the Lord take vengeance on David’s enemies.” (20:16) Saul’s schemes turned public as he recruited others to kill David. Jonathan’s attempts at reasoning with Saul provided a temporary reprieve (19:4-5), and Saul himself along with the men sent to kill David were overwhelmed by the Spirit (19:20-21). Yet nothing assuaged Saul’s suspicion and hatred. Amid these plots, David found a true friend and ally in Saul’s son Jonathan. 

Even in Saul’s own household, David encounte

...

1 Samuel 18

David had success because “the Lord was with Him” (v14). While Jonathan recognized a kindred spirit (v1), King Saul, jealous of David’s success, saw him as an enemy (v9). He attempted to kill David (v11), revoked the reward of marriage to his first daughter (v19), and planned his demise (v17, v25). David had more to fear from Saul, his own king, than from the Philistines (v30).

Although the most powerful person in Israel was against him, David prospered. He found a faithful

...

1 Samuel 17

“For the battle is the Lord’s” (v47). David had been added to Saul’s entourage as a mere musician, but confronting Goliath was his announcement for the office of king. While King Saul and his army “were dismayed and greatly afraid” (v1), David was confident that “the Lord saves not with sword and spear” (v47). The battle was won even though “there was no sword” in David’s hand (v50).

The future king trusted in the “Lord of hosts, the God of the armies”, rather than politica

...

1 Samuel 16

“And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward” (v13). As the Spirit “departed from Saul” (v14), God began to replace King Saul with David (v1). Saul’s instability created a chaotic environment where Samuel feared Saul (v2), and the elders feared the prophet (v4). King Saul became a disturbed man in need of a calming presence (v17). Ironically, David was the right man for that job and for the job of king (v18).

When the first king of Israel failed, it w

...

Luke 20:20-47

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (v25). The religious leaders tried to trap Jesus in an unanswerable question that would get him trouble (v20), but Jesus’ answer silenced his questioners (v26). The image on the coin belonged to Caesar, but the image stamped on our souls belongs to God alone (Gen 1:26-27). 

We have earthly responsibilities as part of families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and nations. However, our deepest lo

...

Luke 20:1-19

“‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’” (v17). The religious leaders challenged Jesus: “By what authority do you do these things?” (v2). They attempted to build their case against Him (v20), but Jesus turned the interrogation on its head, silencing them (7) and warning them with a parable of the tenants (v9-ff). The heirs of the kingdom are those who accept the Son, not simply the religiously pious (v16).

The “owner of the vineyard” has sent His

...

Psalm 45

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme” (v1). The psalmist paints a picture of God’s relationship to Israel as a royal wedding procession filled with “joy and gladness” (v15). The kingly groom “rides out” for “truth, meekness and righteousness” (4). The princess bride is adorned in “many colored robes” (v14). The celebration is of the marriage, but more profoundly, of a kingdom that is ruled by a “scepter of uprightness” (v6) that “loves righteousness” (v7).

This royal s

...