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Best Friends Forever

Read: 1 Samuel 20:30-42 Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, “The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.” (v. 42) Best friends are a unique sweetness in life. I will never forget how adrift I felt when […]

Jealousy and Fear Aren’t Pretty

Read: 1 Samuel 18:1-15 Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. (v. 12) When powerful people have earned their authority with the popular vote or the attention of the masses as a media favorite, it seems impossible to them that they could be replaced. But popularity is […]

Mighty Trash Talk

Read: 1 Samuel 17:38-51 I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (v. 45) Trash talk has never been my strong suit, which generally speaking, I consider a good thing. However, there are certain times and places when trash talk comes […]

Something to Offer

Read: 1 Samuel 17:24-37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. (v. 37) Something about being the youngest sibling pulls you, almost magnetically, toward your older siblings. Part admiration, part obsession, the youngest can somehow track […]

A Beautiful Heart

Read: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. (v. 13) Growing up, I was the eldest sibling, but not the smartest or the most musical. Eventually, I wasn’t even the tallest. While I did not doubt my special gifts and talents, I also did not view myself as […]

Reflections from a Translator

Even as Albanians begin to write original devotional content, translating North American devotionals and editing them to fit the Albanian context will continue to be an ongoing need. Fabian fulfills this important role behind the scenes, ensuring that encouragement from Scripture is accessible to readers in his own country.  “I believe God is at work,” […]

Regret of the Worst Kind

Read: 1 Samuel 15:10-25 I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments. (v. 11) The worst kind of regret is that which you may have seen coming but hoped you could avoid. This is not the mild regret you feel over buying […]

Misguided Promises

Read: 1 Samuel 14:36-46 Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel?” (v. 45) Finish your broccoli, or you can’t go to the sleepover,” says the irritated parent. It’s an empty threat, a rash promise that the child knows cannot be true. King Saul made a rash […]

It Doesn’t Take Long

Read: 1 Samuel 13:1-15 But now your kingdom shall not continue. (v. 14) It’s funny how quickly we can tell whether a leader will be successful or not. We carefully observe their first moves and evaluate the decisions they make. We notice if they fall asleep in meetings or make people cry when they’ve done something […]