1 Samuel 8

 Samuel appointed his sons as judges. The problem was that they did not follow God. They didn't live like their father did. To me, it seems that Samuel learned nepotism from Eli. He chose those of his family, which might not have been bad, but it was, and this time, the people rejected it. I applaud the people for rejecting Samuel's evil sons, but their solution wasn't a good one either. Ultimately, Jesus will be the king they wanted, but getting a human king is going to be overall as bad as Samuel's sons might have been. 

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Romans 1

 

Paul wanted to come to Rome to give to them, but to also be mutually encouraged. He wanted them to share together. An interesting fact was that Paul wanted to go to Rome long before now, but was prevented. God allows us to be detoured at times from what is a good thing in our minds. We don’t always know why, but we have to keep trusting God.

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Proverbs 17

 

I have heard it said that wealth brings problems you never expected. Unfortunately, those problems are often relatives. This is what came to mind when I read the first verse of this chapter. You might only have a dry piece of bread, but that is better because you have peace. To say it another way, a feast is wonderful unless you have to worry about being poisoned. Many think that money will solve the problems, but don't realize that often it just causes more problems. 

Speaking of money not helping the NLT put verse 16 this way, "It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning." Money to make you smarter won't help if you aren't willing to be educated. Money for college is only good if you're going to learn. The "college experience" is just a waste. 

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1 Samuel 7

 Ebenizer means, "thus far the Lord has helped us." When people read this here and claim it in their lives, they often think only of the victories. However, God had helped Israel not just by giving them victories but also by sending them troubles and even defeat. God's help isn't just what we would call good. God's help can also come in correction and in allowing judgment. This isn't the side of God's help that is fun, but like with our children, sometimes the best gift we can give them is what they don't want. 

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1 Samuel 6

 

It doesn't help just to see that God has done something or to acknowledge that you have done wrong. What is important is whether this changes you? The Philistines know that they have done wrong. The Philistines sent a trespass offering, a sign of repentance. They see that God has passed their test and, once seeing the power of God, go back to Eckron and to their own lives. Just a simple thought exercise should say if this God is more powerful, then would you not want to become his follower?  No, they offered the equivalent of an apology to God, but went back to worshipping their own gods and to their own lives. 

Before we criticize them too much, look at the men of Beth Shemesh. There are Levites here, the ones who are supposed to understand the things of God and the need to reverence them. Yet, they look into the Ark with God had commanded them not to do. When judgment falls, what do they say?  “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?” or to say it another way, This is God's fault, let's get rid of Him.  The correct response should have been admitting they had sinned and rejoicing that God came into their midst, but what happens is little different from what the Philistines did. They sent God away and went back to the way they lived before.  

Here is a truth. Seeing God's power isn't a guarantee that a life will be changed. A changed heart is what changes lives, not power. As I heard once, He that complies against his will / Is of his own opinion still" (Samuel Butler's Hudibras).

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Jeremiah 20

 

This chapter ends with a prayer to God that reminds me of many of the Psalms. It asks God why, but still shows faith. It trusts in God's faithfulness, yet is discouraged. It is like many of us feel from time to time. Yes, Jesus didn't say following him would be easy, but we still want it to be. We still want things to go better. We aren't alone; it's the human condition. The truth is, life isn't always good; in fact, it often is horrible for the saint and the sinner. The hope we have is that God works it out. But in my flesh, I would like it worked out today. 

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Acts 20

 

The early church father, Chrysostom, wrote concerning Eutychus, which inspired me to look at the story a little differently. He said, "And the wonderful circumstance is, that though he was a youth, he was not listless and indifferent; and though (he felt himself) weighed down by sleep, he did not go away, nor yet fear the danger of falling down. It was not from listlessness that he slumbered, but from necessity of nature."* Jesus told his disciples that the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. There are times we want to do but our human limitations prevent us. Here is a sign that God can raise us up in spite of our weakness. 

*https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210143.htm, Accessed 8/19/25; Martin, Francis, editor, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament volume 5, Intervarsity Press, Downer Grove, 2006.

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Psalm 78

 

There is an idea, especially in the West, that we want better for our children. It is reasonable, but often leads people to do things that aren't good for their children or lead them to being spoiled. The question Christians should ask those who have children is, What is truly best for them? At the end of the day, I have to go with Jesus' words, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul" (Matthew 16:26 ). 

The reason for this Psalm is to teach children. It is written to keep them from making the same mistakes their ancestors did. It is an admonition to us that we need to teach our children about God. 

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Psalm 79

 In the middle of destruction, the Author of this psalm understands that God is the one who can make things right. There is a great understanding that the judgment that has fallen isn't because God isn't powerful, but because He decided that this is right. The final verse promises that with God's deliverance comes a promise to praise God for all generations. Though this will ultimately be true. The sad truth is that this is like many a foxhole promise. It is clearly meant, but it will not be fulfilled. When God does deliver them, they don't keep praising God for every generation. 

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1 Samuel 5

 

The major deities the Philistines worshipped were Dagon, Ashtoreth, and Baal-Zebub. There is some historical evidence that the three towns the Ark was sent to focused on one of these gods. None of them was able to save the Philistines from God's wrath. God in these places made it clear that He was greater, but like today, that doesn't mean people will turn to Him. 

Dr. Herbert Lockyer pointed out that even today, God will not allow idols in his presence. Considering this, we might ask ourselves if the misery in our lives isn't because we have set up an idol in our lives and hoped God would be okay with it? 

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1 Samuel 4

 

With the loss of the Ark of God, the death of her father and father-in-law, and soon her own life, the wife of Phinehas named her new son Icabod. Icabod means "The glory of God has departed. It is a heartbreaking story, but as I thought about it, it is heartbreaking for a different reason. Israel didn't lose God because the Ark was captured. Israel lost the presence of God long before the battle. They lost God's glory and presence because they were not serving him faithfully. It is only now that they realize it, but they still don't realize it isn't the loss of the Ark, but the loss of their faith in God.  

Yet, at the beginning of the chapter, we have hope; God is speaking through Samuel. 

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