365 Reflections

1 Samuel 17:17–18 (ESV) And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. 18 Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.” 1 Samuel 17 could be studied for years. It empowers God's people who will regularly face the obstacles of institutionalized religious form represented by Saul's leadership AND the enemy of our souls represented by Goliath. In David, we have both a picture of Jesus and an inspiration to greater faith. Here in verse 17, David challenges the assumption that great moments are the result of great ambition. For his arrival on the field of battle that day was not because Saul needed his soothing songs and in no way did Saul expect David's sling ability to have any impact. No, David's arrival was because his three older brothers needed bread and cheese to ...

Joshua appears for the second time in the Exodus account here in Exodus 24. Exodus 24:12–14 (ESV) The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua , and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.” What is so good about Joshua? He is willing.  If you need Joshua to pick a group of fighting men, he'll do that.  If you need Joshua to wage a battle, he'll do that. If you need Joshua to assist you in something, he'll do that. If you need Joshua to spy out the land, he'll do that too! It is worth noting that the only title given to Joshua thus far in Exodus is "Moses' assistant".  Earlier in Exodus 17 Joshua is i...

Genesis 24 is the longest chapter in the book. It's about a wife for Isaac and how Abraham's servant goes about finding the woman God would give to his master's son. What I find striking is the incredible servant heart of this nameless man who goes to great lengths and dedicates his quest in the Lord to find the right woman God would have. He worked diligently. He loaded ten camels and traveled far to seek out the right woman. He prayed specifically. He offered God the opportunity here to reject his prayer. The prayer made was for an astounding act on Rebekah's part to water 10 camels. Some ask for a sign in their prayers but they ask for simple things that could be coincidence. He asked for something only God could provide. Genesis 24:14 (ESV) Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall...

Psalm 116:1–4 (ESV)   I love the Lord , because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord : “O Lord , I pray, deliver my soul!” The writer of this Psalm was saved from a near death sickness by the Lord. He cried out, God heard and responded and healed him. It's a fairy tale story of sorts. It's the we all would love our sickness to end, with answered prayer and healing.  But why doesn't it always happen?  To answer that question, we should regard the second verse of this Psalm. The Psalmist makes an astounding vow before the Lord - to "call on Him as long as I live." He's healed. He could do anything now. He could "get on with life" on his terms and wait for heaven. That's what most do. If you don...