Tag Archives: Psalm 115:1-18

May 18, 2015 Bible Study — Not To Me, But To God Be the Glory

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I will be out of town on business for most of this week. It is my plan to complete this blog every day, but I may run late some days.

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Proverbs 15:18-19

    When we read these proverbs we should use them to look at ourselves. Do we find ourselves in fights and conflicts? Perhaps the problem is that we too easily lose our temper. If we control our anger we will find that we will not end up in as many fights, and we will be able to defuse the conflicts around us.
    Do we find every task we begin obstructed by obstacles? Perhaps the problem is that we are too lazy and do not approach our life with enough industry. When we honour God with all of our being and look at all of the tasks before us as service to God, there do not seem to be any obstacles of consequence to accomplishing those tasks.

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Psalm 115:1-18

    There are other messages in this psalm, but it starts with the one I want to focus on:

Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory…

This should be the focus of all of our actions. I struggle with making that my focus as I write this blog. From time to time I need to remind myself that I am not writing this blog to attract attention. I am writing this blog so that I will study God’s word each day. Yes, I hope there are other people reading it (and I know that there are). And I hope that those who read this get some blessing from God by doing so. However, if that is the case, it is not because I am such a masterful writer. No, it is because the Holy Spirit has used the words I have written. That does not mean that I think I am not a masterful writer. It just means that I know that no matter how cleverly I write this the only way it will bring about positive change is if the Holy Spirit moves in the heart of the one who reads it.
    So, the point I want to make is the title of today’s blog: Not to me, but to God be the glory!

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John 10:1-21

    As I read Jesus’ teaching about the Good Shepherd and the sheep fold I see Jesus communicating two messages at the same time. One message is that we must go through Jesus to get to the sheepfold where we will be safe. Jesus expands on a message He has taught elsewhere. Those who are called by God, who are truly seeking God, will recognize the “sound” of Jesus’ message and will listen to Him. The other message is that all spiritual teachers who do not lead people to and through Jesus are thieves and robbers. They seek to advance their own interests through their teaching and do not truly care for their followers.
    Jesus goes on to compare the good shepherd to the hired hand. While in part Jesus is comparing Himself to religious teachers who do not direct people to Him, there is more to this. I see a couple of things I will draw out of this. The first is to be skeptical of pastors, preachers, or other religious teachers who live a lavish lifestyle. I question the faithfulness of any of the above who lives a millionaire lifestyle. I will not categorically state that no faithful teacher of the Gospel lives a millionaire lifestyle. I can imagine justifications for such, but I will remain skeptical until I personally see evidence of their faithfulness (I have known individuals living a millionaire lifestyle who were at least as faithful — and probably more so — in following Christ as myself). The key element to test religious teachers is their willingness to sacrifice their lives for the benefit of those they are leading.
    Writing this it fully struck home for the first time that, because I write this blog, I need to start holding myself to the standard I believe the Bible presents for those who teach the Gospel. I have always felt that all Christians should strive to hold themselves to that standard, but that God does not necessarily hold us all to that standard. I do not believe that I can soothe myself for my failures by thinking God does not hold me to that higher standard.

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1 Samuel 22-23:29

    We have in this story a contrast between the way David and Saul managed their affairs. Saul had the priests of Nob killed because Ahimelech gave aid to David. This despite the fact that when Ahimelech aided David, no one knew that Saul no longer considered David his chief subordinate. David, on the other hand, risked himself and his men to protect the town of Keilah. Further, David sought God’s guidance for all of his actions.

November 16, 2014 Bible Study — Not To Me, But To the Lord Be the Glory

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

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Proverbs 27:21-22

    Fire is used to test the purity of gold and silver, but you can measure a person by how they react to praise. No matter what you do, or how hard you try, a fool will not give up his foolish ideas. If by some chance you do convince a fool that one of his ideas is foolish, he will replace it with another just as foolish.

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Psalm 115:1-18

    The psalmist reminds us that the glory for our successes should go to God. Any success which I have in this life is because of God’s mercy and grace. It was His gifts to me which made me able to accomplish anything of worth. It is not I who deserves the credit, but rather God.

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Hebrews 13:1-25

    Today’s passage starts out with four instructions that all fit together. We are to continue loving each other, show hospitality to strangers, and remember those suffering (being imprisoned and mistreated are both forms of suffering) as if we were experiencing that suffering ourselves.
    The next couple of things fit together with these as well. Everyone should honour marriage, even those who are not married. Those of us who are married must remain faithful to our spouse. Those who are not married should encourage those who are married to remain faithful to each other. Remaining faithful to your husband or wife involves more than just sex.
    The final point that stands out to me today is “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This does not mean that we should resist change. However, as the writer points out, it does mean that we should reject new teachings, that is, teachings which do not have their basis in the Bible. It is sometimes argued that the anti-slavery movement represented a new teaching because slavery is mentioned in the Bible, even in the New Testament, and not condemned (it can be argued that it was even indirectly supported). However, the anti-slavery movement was against a culture which viewed certain people as less than human. The anti-slavery movement arose when all slaves in Western Civilization were derived from the same racial background and enslaving them was justified on the basis of claiming that they were not truly human. Such a claim is counter to the teachings of the Bible, even those places where it discusses slavery. As a result, the anti-slavery movement relied on Christian teachings of long standing. Some more recent teachings rely on the claim that loving my neighbor means not confronting him or her about behaviors which cause them to be distanced from God. I cannot accept that approach.

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Ezekiel 33-34:31

    Ezekiel returns once more to the theme of the watchman. There are two points to this metaphor. The first is that God does not take pleasure from the death and destruction of the wicked. He would rather that they turn from their wicked behavior and live. The death and destruction of the wicked is only inevitable if they keep on sinning. The second point of this metaphor is that it is our duty as servants of God to warn people of the death and destruction which is coming for them. Do we love those around us enough to warn them of the dangers inherent in their sinful behavior? Have we spoken out as loudly against greed as we have against sexual sins? Have we warned those who oppress the poor that their actions will lead to their destruction as surely as sexual sins will lead to the destruction of those who partake in them?
    Ezekiel than goes on to speak about those spiritual leaders who use their position to enrich themselves rather than to care for the flock. Spiritual leaders who are more interested in what is in it for themselves than in the needs of the people they lead. They do not assist the weak, nor care for the sick. They do bind the wounds of the injured, nor go searching for the lost. While he is discussing his condemnation of spiritual leaders, Ezekiel makes his first comment directed at all of us. Not only did the spiritual leaders not go looking for the lost, no one else did either. Ezekiel continues by warning us that God will judge even the common person for their actions. God will judge between the “fat” sheep and the “skinny” sheep. What role have we played in driving others away from God? Have we kept the best “grazing” for ourselves and trampled the rest? Have we bullied the weak and driven them from God?

May 18, 2014 Bible Study — Whose Voice Are We Following?

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

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Proverbs 15:18-19

    If you lose your temper easily, you will start many fights you did not need to have. If you can keep your temper, even when provoked, you will bring calm and end fights, even some you were not involved in. Those who are lazy see insurmountable obstacles to every endeavor. Those who truly wish to do what is right see a clear path to that goal. Where other people might see obstacles to doing right, the righteous either see a path around or consider the “obstacle” an acceptable consequence of doing the right thing.

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Psalm 115:1-18

    I will seek to live according to what the psalmist writes. I will not seek glory for myself, but I will act so that God may be glorified. If and when I have success I want it to cause people to glorify and praise God. God is my helper and my shield. Any thing I have done that is praiseworthy is because of God, not because of some credit that I am due. God has blessed me and I will praise Him.

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John 10:1-21

    Jesus tells us that He is the good shepherd. His sheep know His voice and follow Him. They will not follow the voice of a stranger because they do not know it. Rather they will run from the voice of a stranger. This reminds me of those churches which constantly tell us that we need to change the message of Christ to be relevant. As a general rule, those churches seem to always get smaller. I will not say that we should measure the success or failure of a congregation by how big or small it is. However, I will also say that we should not measure our message by how “relevant” society finds them. We should measure our message by whether or not we are speaking with the voice of Jesus.

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1 Samuel 22-23:29

    Saul once again demonstrated the insecurity which eventually brought him down. When he discovered that Ahimelech, the priest, had aided David, he had him, his family, and the entire town where he had lived killed. Saul did this despite the fact that when Ahimelech aided David most of the people of Israel knew David as Saul’s faithful, and most successful, servant. Saul’s actions are contrasted with David’s. Saul ordered an entire town of Israelites killed and plundered. David, on the other hand, went to rescue a town in Judah from the depredations by Philistine raiders. Doing so put David at some risk because it allowed Saul the chance to attempt trap him there. Are we willing to put ourselves at some risk to aid others? Or do we hold a grudge against those who we perceive as having wronged us?

November 16, 2013 Bible Study — This World Is Not Our Home

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Ezekiel 33-34:31

     God calls on Ezekiel to be a watchman for the people of Israel. A watchman is tasked with watching for danger. If he sees danger and warns the people, yet they do not act, the watchman is not held accountable for their suffering. On the other hand, if the watchman sees danger and fails to warn the people, the watchman will be held accountable for the losses the people suffer. In the same way, if Ezekiel failed to speak out in an attempt to dissuade the wicked from their wicked ways, God would hold him accountable for their suffering.


     I believe that this passage is a calling to us today to warn people around us of the dangers of sin. We are not called to judge people. We are called to tell people that actions have consequences. When those actions are sinful, those consequences will be undesirable. On the other hand, righteous actions will have positive consequences. If someone is sinning, is doing things which are destructive to themselves and to others, if they turn from that sin and start to behave in a righteous manner, they will receive the consequences of those righteous acts. On the other hand if someone has been behaving righteously and begins to sin, their previous righteousness will not spare them from the consequences of their sinful behavior.
     The next part of the passage addresses us today as well. The people were going to consult with Ezekiel not in order to hear the word of God and change their lives but rather to be entertained. How many of us today go to Church services expecting to be entertained? How often are our Church services designed to entertain those who come, rather than to deliver the life-changing word of God?

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Hebrews 13:1-25

     The writer concludes his letter with some basic exhortations. He tells us to empathize with those who are imprisoned and those who are being mistreated. We are to honor marriage and those of us who are married are to remain faithful to our spouse. He reminds us not to love money, but rather to be content with what we have, because God will provide for our needs. If we remain content with what God has given us and rely on his providence, we can face all of life with confidence.
     He reminds us that God does not change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This means that the Gospel message and God’s instructions are not going to change either. We should not get caught up with novel, new ideas. While this does not mean that we do not change what we believe, it does act as a corrective against ideas that are sold as brand new. I cannot count the number of times that I have heard people argue that some Scripture no longer applies because, “things were different when that was written.” Times do indeed change, but God does not.
     There is one final point which the writer touches on that I want to highlight. He writes that under the old covenant, the bodies of the sacrifices were burned outside of the camp. In the same manner, Jesus offered Himself up as a sacrifice outside of the city gates. We are to go outside of the camp to Him, separating ourselves from this world just as He did. This world is not our home, we are still looking forward to that day when we will go to our home in heaven with God. We are not citizens of an earthly kingdom, rather we are citizens of God’s kingdom.

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Psalm 115:1-18

     The psalmist reminds us that we are not to do things in order to gain glory for ourselves, nor should we accept glory for our actions. The credit for anything praiseworthy which I may have done goes to God. If not for Him, and what His Spirit has done within me, I would never have done anything worthy of praise. I will praise the Lord and will act so as to bring glory to His name.

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Proverbs 27:21-22

     Gold and silver are tested for purity by putting them through fire, but we are tested by how we react when others praise us. When people praise us for things we have done, it is all too easy to forget the One who is truly responsible for our successes. A fool will not give up his foolishness no matter how much trouble it brings him.

May 18, 2013 Bible Study — The Good Shepherd

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

Elizabeth's Garden
Elizabeth’s Garden

1 Samuel 22-23:29

     David fled from Saul into the wilderness. His relatives joined him there, since they knew that Saul would come after them when he could not get David directly. In addition, David was joined by other men, mostly troublemakers and other discontents, for a total of 400 men. After securing the protection of the king of Moab for his parents, David returned to Judah. When Saul heard that David had returned to Judah, he threw a fit in front of his men, accusing them of being disloyal and Jonathan of plotting with David to have Saul killed. When Doeg, the Edomite, heard Saul’s rant, he came forward and offered that he had seen David consult with the priest, Ahimelech, who gave David supplies.
     Saul sent for Ahimelech and his entire family of priests. When Ahimelech appeared before Saul, Saul accused him of plotting with David against him. Ahimelech replied that he had no reason to suspect that Saul’s son-in-law, the captain of Saul’s bodyguard was plotting against Saul. Saul would hear nothing of Ahimelech’s defense and ordered his bodyguards to kill him and his family. His bodyguards refused to kill priests of God. Saul then turned to Doeg and asked him to kill them. Doeg did so and then went to their home town and killed all of their relatives and livestock. Only Abiathar, Ahimelech’s son, escaped. He fled to David in the wilderness.
     When Abiathar joined David, David expressed deep regret that he had been the cause of he murder of Abiather’s family and promised to protect him with his life. Shortly after this the Philistines began raiding an Israelite town. David consulted the Lord and felt led to go defend the town. His men were afraid to go up against the Philistines, so David asked God for more direction. Once more David received guidance from God to defend that town. This time his men were convinced. David and his men slaughtered the Philistines raiding the town and rescued the people of the town. When Saul learned that David had gone there he mustered his army and headed out to trap David in the town. David learned of Saul’s plan and once more consulted God. He asked if Saul would indeed come after him there and if the people would betray him. God answered both questions in the affirmative. So David and his men, now up to about 600, left the town and returned to the wilderness.
     Jonathan came out to visit David in the wilderness and express his continued friendship. Shortly after Jonathan’s visit, some of the men of the region where David was hiding out went to Saul and told him where David was. Saul sent them back to track David more closely, then followed with his army. When David heard that Saul was bringing his army after him, he withdrew even further into the wilderness. Finally, as Saul was about to overtake David and bring him to battle, he received word that the Philistines were attacking. Saul withdrew his army to defend against the Philistines.
     Perhaps I am making too much of it, but throughout this passage I see a difference in how the two men chose their actions. Saul chose his actions, always looking for how it benefited himself and enhanced his power, factoring in worshiping the Lord as just one more political calculation. David on the other hand, sought the Lord’s guidance every step of the way. Which is the way that I approach life?

Elizabeth's Garden dedication plaque
Elizabeth’s Garden dedication plaque

John 10:1-21

     Today’s passage is Jesus’ illustration of Himself as the good shepherd, who cares for the sheep. In it He contrasted Himself to those who taught contrary to what He taught. He compared those other teachers to thieves and robbers, who are out to slaughter the sheep. As opposed to a good shepherd who is willing to die to protect his sheep. In addition to referring to Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus also compared Himself to the gate through which good shepherds come. Thieves and robbers come over the wall, but good shepherds come through the gate.
     So, we have two messages for us in one illustration. The first is the most obvious. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and laid down His life for us His sheep. He even tells us how we can tell if we, or someone else, is part of His flock. Those who are part of Jesus’ flock will listen to His voice and follow Him. Not all of those who were part of Jesus’ flock were Jews. But Jesus said that He would go, gather those other sheep and make one flock out of all of them. The second message is more subtle. Jesus tells us that He is the gate, any teacher or religious leader who does not come through Him is a thief and a robber, looking to use the sheep for his own benefit, no matter what the cost to the sheep. This gives us a guide to judge those who are proclaimed religious leaders. Do they come through Jesus? Do they suffer so that their sheep may live in comfort? Or do their sheep suffer so that they can live in comfort?

Another picture in Elizabeth's Garden
Another picture in Elizabeth’s Garden

Psalm 115:1-18

     This psalm is a reminder of what we should desire when we cry out to God for Him to rescue us and/or bless us. We do not call out to God for rescue so that we might live a life of ease, but rather so that God may be glorified. Let us seek blessings from God, not for ourselves, but so that we may use them to benefit others to the glory of God.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory

Let us fear to go against what the Lord desires for us, because we know that He desires what is good for us and desires that we avoid that which will lead to our suffering.
All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.

He will bless those who fear the Lord,
both great and lowly.

Let me fear the Lord and learn to turn all of His blessings into help for those who are suffering.

More of Elizabeth's Garden
More of Elizabeth’s Garden

Proverbs 15:18-19

     There are two ways to look at today’s proverbs. The first is to consider them as advice, and they are good advice. If we allow our temper to get the better of us, we will start fights and stir up conflict. On the other hand, if we are patient and calm we will be able to soothe conflict and bring peace to those around us. If we are lazy, we will constantly find obstacles blocking our path to doing what is right. On the other hand, if we are upright and righteous, our path will be clear.
     The second way to look at this proverb is as a way to judge our own behaviors. Are we always surrounded by conflicts and getting into fights? Then we are hot-tempered. On the other hand, do we find ourselves soothing and calming those who are angry and bringing peace to those around us? Then we are cool-tempered and patient. Do we see obstacles in our path whenever we try to do the right thing? Perhaps the problem is not the obstacles, but our own laziness. On the other hand, if doing the right thing always seems obvious and almost easy, perhaps it reflects that we are truly dedicated to following God. This really challenges me, because I have been seeing obstacles whenever I try to do what I think that God is leading me to do.

November 16, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

God’s Paint-By-Numbers Earth Sky and Water #274

Ezekiel 33-34:31

     Ezekiel returns to the watchman metaphor he used early in the book. I believe that God has made us watchmen (and women) to those around us. When God reveals to us that He is about to bring judgment against those around us for their wicked acts, we must warn them of the coming consequences of their actions. If we do not, God will hold us accountable for their suffering. If one the other hand, we do warn them of God’s impending judgment and they choose to not change their ways, then the results are on their own heads. Then he gives us a message to deliver. If the wicked will turn from their wickedness, they will be saved. On the other hand, if the righteous turn from righteousness to wickedness, they will die. If we deliver God’s message to people who they should do what is just and right, perhaps enough people will turn from their sin that God will withhold His judgment against this nation.
     Ezekiel goes on to tell the people that their numbers will not make them powerful in the face of their sins. He accuses them of being murderers, idolaters and adulterers. As such, why do they think that the land should be theirs? They measure those who speak God’s word as entertainers. They have no intention of following the instructions from God spoken by those speakers. They are too busy seeking after money and fulfilling their lustful desires. Does this not sound like many around us? Even how we sometimes judge a congregation?
“Oh, that pastor is a very good speaker, I enjoy hearing him preach.”
“Their worship service is so exciting, I always get a thrill from the singing.”
     How often do we talk about how convicted a service made us feel? About how a speaker’s sermon led us to change our ways?
     Then Ezekiel goes on and talks about how the shepherds set over God’s flock have allowed His sheep to be scattered and have kept the best parts for themselves. Ezekiel condemns them for failing to seek out God’s scattered sheep. Ezekiel tells us that God will send a shepherd who will seek out His scattered flocks, gather them and protect them from wild animals. Then he goes on to condemn the sheep for not being satisfied with having good pasture. No, the rich sheep destroy the pastures where the weak and needy sheep graze just because they can. The strong and well-fed sheep drove God’s sick and hungry sheep away and did not allow them to feed. How often are we like that? Fed and satisfied, driving away those who come seeking comfort and understanding because they aren’t “good enough”? God has sent His Shepherd to gather the sick and hungry to Him. His Shepherd will care for them, punishing the “healthy” sheep who attempt to drive them away from Him. I pray that I am not one who drives those seeking God’s healing away.

Deep Creek Riparian Zone

Hebrews 13:1-25

     The author of Hebrews sums up what he has written. He tells us that we should love our fellow believers as if we were siblings. We are to show hospitality to strangers because by doing so some have entertained God’s messengers without realizing it. We should remember those who are suffering as if we were suffering as they are. We should honor marriage and remain faithful to our wedding vows, for God will surely judge those who are immoral and adulterous.
     We are to be satisfied with what we have and not become worshipers of money. God will provide for our needs. He will not fail us, nor will He abandon us. Jesus does not change, so we should not become enamored of new and novel interpretations of what it means to be His followers. Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God and never forget to share with those in need. Doing good at every opportunity that God brings our way. All too often I have missed the opportunities to do good that God has given me.

House By the Lake

Psalm 115:1-18

     I will take no credit for any good that anyone may have experienced at my hands. What little good I have done in my life pales in comparison to the wonders that God has done for me. I will ever praise the Lord for He is my helper and my shield. Others may choose to worship material things, but I will worship and praise the eternal God.

Canoes on the Shore

Proverbs 27:21-22

     One tests the purity of silver or gold with fire, but the purity of people is tested by good times. It is more difficult to remain faithful to God in times of plenty than in times of trial. Fools will refuse to give up their foolishness even when it brings hard times upon them.

May 18, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

1 Samuel 22-23:29

     I had not noticed it before, but as I have been reading through the book of 1 Samuel this time it occurred to me that King Saul ruled much like modern totalitarians. He used fear as a tactic of control and he destroyed anyone who he perceived as having an independent power base. In today’s passage, King Saul accuses the men around him from his own tribe of taking bribes from David to hide things from Saul. He further accuses Jonathan, his own son, of encouraging David to kill him. This is followed by King Saul discovering that the priest Ahimelech had helped David when David first fled from King Saul. Saul summons Ahimelech and his family to him. Saul then accuses Ahimelech of plotting with David against Saul. Ahimelech responds that he only helped David because he was captain of Saul’s bodyguard and a trusted member of Saul’s household, that he knew nothing of any plot against King Saul. Saul does not believe him and orders his bodyguards to kill Ahimelech and his family. Saul’s men refuse the order to kill the “Lord’s priests”. Saul then turns to someone who was not an Israelite, Doeg the Edomite, to kill the priest and his family. Saul then sends Doeg to kill all of the remaining priests and their families. One priest escapes and flees to David.
     Meanwhile, David has been hiding in the territory of Judah, which is his own tribe. David hears that the Philistines are raiding a city slightly outside of Judah’s territory. He feels compelled to go and aid the city. David asks God’s guidance and receives confirmation of his impulse. However, his men are afraid to go up against the Philistines with Saul chasing them. David asks God for a second confirmation of whether they should go to the aid of this city and receives it. David goes and defeats the Philistines decisively. When Saul learns that David is in that city, he mobilizes his army and marches to besiege David in that city. David, upon learning that Saul is marching against him, seeks guidance from God as to what to do. When God confirms to David that Saul is coming and that the leaders of the city will betray him, David leads his men from the city into an uninhabited area (or at least only lightly inhabited). Saul continues to pursue David. Some of the locals agree to help Saul track David down. David is crafty and eludes Saul for awhile. Just as Saul is about to close on David, the Philistines begin raiding and Saul needs to withdraw to protect his power base.
     There are two ways to look at what happened here and I happen to think that both are correct. The first way is that God acts to protect those who serve Him. David is just about to be caught by Saul, when the Philistines attack and Saul must withdraw from pursuing David. This shows the hand of God in the timing. David is saved through God’s divine intervention. The second way to look at it is that Saul by driving David from his court and then taking his army to pursue David, weakened Israel enough that the Philistines were able to attack Israel again.

John 10:1-21

     Here Jesus makes a claim to be the Messiah and addresses the issue that others have made similar claims. When we look at the others who claimed to be the Messiah from that time, they fell into two groups. Those who ran away and hid, allowing their followers to suffer the consequences. Those who stayed and fought, leading to many of their followers being executed alongside of them. Jesus, on the other hand, when the authorities came after Him, surrendered Himself and was arrested and executed with none of His followers. Further, we see after His death that the continued persecution of His followers did not lead to them being scattered and destroyed. People often say that if someone who is stirring up trouble is killed they will become a martyr for their movement and be more trouble than if they are left alone. There is some truth to this, but what people fail to realize is that the only people whose death at the hands of the authorities leads to strengthening their movements are those who are leading a movement that is serving God. Christianity is the only movement in the history of the world where the wholesale slaughter of its adherents has led to its rapid expansion. When the Romans persecuted the Druids, they wiped out the entire religion. When the Romans persecuted the Christians, the faith expanded exponentially.

Psalm 115:1-18

     This psalm talks of how the things that others worship have no ability to act. It is interesting that among the western nations today so many openly admit that the source for meaning in their life has no ability to act. There are many atheists who give to science the kind of veneration that Christians are supposed to reserve for God. They will readily admit that science is shaped by human hands and minds. They claim there is no more than that. But our God is real.

“Our God is in the heavens,
and he does as he wishes.”

     We should trust the Lord because He will help us and shield us. Of those who choose to believe that this world is all there is the psalmist says,
“The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord,
for they have gone into the silence of the grave.”

But of those who faithfully follow God’s teachings he says,
“But we can praise the Lord
both now and forever!”

We will be able to praise the Lord forever because He will give us eternal life. Let us be faithful in serving God and praise Him daily for the wonderful things He has done.

Proverbs 15:18-19

     This proverb is so very true. Those who are easily angered find themselves in fights even with people they agree with or over issues they do not think of as important, while those who remain calm are often able to help those who are fighting to find a basis for ending the conflict, even when the disagreement remains. While the second one echoes something that I have tried to live by, although I have succeeded imperfectly. When I am called a hard worker I tell people I am too lazy to do a job to less than the best of my ability. All too often when I do something in a lazy way, I end up having to do more work than if I had just put out the effort to do it right the first time around. I always tell people that I am too lazy to not work hard.