In studying God’s word, I felt myself drawn to a place name—one of a dizzying array of hundreds of villages, towns, and cities named in the early days of the nation of Israel. I’m talking about Jabesh Gilead. Jabesh Gilead’s story is peppered into the history of Israel in ways that take my breath away. Their story is one of unjust persecution, courage, deliverance, and, ultimately, honor. The struggles of Jabesh Gilead are, in many ways, the struggles that Jesus showed us, as His disciples, we would face. And, while…
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5 NIV I’d like to start the conversation today by telling you a story. A couple of years ago, I was at the store with my son. We wandered over to the toy section of the store and I could see my son searching intently for something. We moved quickly past everything pink, past the baby and toddler toys without even a glance, until my son came to an abrupt stop. I knew that…
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In studying Isaiah a while back, I had made a note about a well-known, messianic verse: But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him,and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 NIV This verse is visceral—it grabs our emotions, we can imagine its raw, physical effect, and as believers can we humbly appreciate the eternal, spiritual cost of the peace and healing Jesus won for us through His sacrifice. But it is those words—pierced, crushed—that I want to focus upon. This is…
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indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5, NIV Solomon compares the insight and wisdom in God’s word to hidden treasure, with good reason. To me, this treasure is akin to diamonds in the mountain—when you finally catch, after much searching, a glint of the revealed treasure, it requires more dedication, more…
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When I talk with people about their favorite Scriptures, I have yet to hear any of them quote genealogies. If I can be honest, genealogies are hard to identify with, and the names can be a challenge to pronounce, much less remember or catch a revelation within. Friends, let me encourage you—Those lists of obscure names have great purpose. In those names you will see a beautiful connection with God’s redemptive love. Let’s start back with the first king of Israel, Saul (His story is told in 1 Samuel). Before…
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One of my favorite aspects of God is that He knows how to reach my heart. Every activity, every discussion becomes an opportunity to make me aware of what He is thinking. Sometimes, God uses moments to reveal when my faith and my thoughts don’t match. I recently had one of those inner-cringe moments where I was gently, but firmly put on notice that I needed to repent. My son and I like to snuggle on the couch and read the Bible together before he goes upstairs for bedtime. We…
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