Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 13 Waiting…Waiting…Waiting… Our electronic devices often use this message when downloading an update or maybe a video. The message is often irritating. We want to read that post, article, or have that app update right now! Following the commands of the Lord and praying according to His commands often has the same message. We wait to see how a prayer is answered. We wait to see the outcome of His providence. If we are honest, most of the time waiting for some understanding of His purpose or for some trial to be over is frustrating….
Sunday Morning Calls to Worship
Call to Worship May 30 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 11 “But certain worthless men said, ‘How can this one deliver us?’” (1 Sam. 10:27). When these unnamed men spoke this question, they spoke directly against God. The LORD had chosen Saul (10:24). Therefore even though Israel rejected God’s authority over them, Saul was His chosen vassal to serve His purpose in the Kingdom. God did not and does not take questioning His authority, His kingdom, and His protection of His people lightly. Chapter eleven reveals these truths in a pointed and plain manner. Soon after Saul’s kingship was publically recognized at Mizpah, and everyone…
Call to Worship May 23 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 10:17-27 Remember that previous times of deliverance by God are important in the Christian life. Israel was retold of their deliverance from the enslavement by the Egyptians. God reminded them of His kindness as he had Samuel call forth their king (vs. 18). This introduction was part of God’s purpose to recall His mercy and grace to them and their rejection of His authority over them (vs. 19). If we forget and rebel against God’s authority over us, then often it is due to overlooking God’s previous deliverances of His people. Saul’s introduction before the…
Call to Worship May 16, 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 9 thru 10:16 Divine providence is the driving undercurrent of ordinary life. Chapter nine is an outworking of divine providence in the context of everyday living. These ordinary happenings are the planned means that God uses to bring about His purposes and works. So the unfolding of this chapter reminds us of the awe of God’s order in saving His people. Furthermore, it encourages us to remember God’s mercy and grace even when His people are unfaithful. The problem of missing donkeys seems irrelevant to many modern readers of the bible. Yet this was a concern…
Call to Worship May 9, 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 8 Samuel spent most of his years in the usual work of his office. He traveled throughout Israel as a judge to the people. He taught them the law of the LORD and to continually trust in the LORD. The revival at Beth-shemesh was not an everyday occurrence. Yet Samuel continued with his work as God’s servant to His people (7:15-16). Ever since the days of Beth-shemesh Israel had feared the Lord to a certain extent with adoration and thanksgiving. Then, Samuel had become old and he had appointed his sons as judges. They did…
Call to Worship May 2 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 7 After disobedience, chastisement, and frowning providence, “Israel lamented after the LORD” (1 Samuel 7:2). They lost the Ark, which represented the loss of God’s presence. They lost favor with YAHWEH in defeat to the Philistines according to their sin. They lost recognition of their singular reliance in all of heaven and earth. So many years were spent in idolatry and all its sinful practices that God did not allow His people to find rest. Sadly this reminder would be needed again, but God brought Israel to a recognition of the folly of self-reliance and…
Call to Worship April 25 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 6:13-7:1 The Israelites were frightened because the glory of God had departed from Israel (4:13). Yet they had not fully understood the awfulness of their sin against God. They walked in thoughtless opposition to the LORD’s commandments and precepts (6:19). When the Ark of God was returned they did offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, but they did not carefully consider all of their actions before the Ark. Israel had forgotten God’s complete holiness in being head of and over His people. As the Ark was being handled near Beth-shemesh, the LORD killed 70 men.[1] These…
Call to Worship April 18, 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 5 & 6:1-12 After the Israelites lost their battle to the Philistines in Ch. 4, and those Gentiles captured the Ark of God, it would be natural to think that the next chapter will consider the plan of the Israelites to retrieve the Ark of God. Yet, the scripture reveals that God made known His presence, power, and dominion over all situations, nations, and people. God Himself would punish the Philistine cities. The Philistines thought the Israelite God was similar to their god Dagon. So they took the Ark of God and placed it subserviently…
Call to Worship April 11 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 4:1b-22 The time for battle was fast approaching as Israel camped near Ebenezer. The Philistines were camped near Aphek and they were prepared for the encounter. As they attacked and moved forward, Israel was defeated. The leaders of Israel could not understand the defeat and asked why the LORD had done it. Instead of thinking about the Lord’s word, they invoked His presence, without consideration of their disobedience to His commands. So they called for the Ark of the Covenant to be transported to the frontlines. When the Ark arrived, Hophni and Phinehas accompanied it…
Call to Worship April 4, 2021
Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel 3 thru 4:1a The people of Israel lived in difficult times and not just economically or politically. The word of the LORD was rare in the days of Eli. Israel spent time worshipping false gods with little consideration of their idolatry and hypocrisy. Samuel would be the one to call them to repentance (1 Samuel 7:3-4). Before Samuel would rise to this task it was the Lord who would call upon him to deliver more immediate news of judgement. What God had previously pronounced, He made more personal through his servant Samuel. Calamity was coming…