Tag: History

October 1, 2025

September 30th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 9-10

Highlight verse:

“When all the kings allied with Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they surrendered to Israel and became their subjects. After that, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am in Texas this week and today’s reading reminded me of the saying “Don’t mess with Texas.”

In this case, it should be “Don’t mess with Israel.”

At least that could be said during David’s time as King.

Tens of thousands of soldiers died at the hands of David’s troops.

That may sound harsh, but how many would have died if the wars had continued?

Because of the sound defeat, Israel’s enemies and their allies were no longer willing to go to battle against Israel.

That’s a good thing.

I don’t want to get political, and I know warfare today is very different, but I think there is something to be said for being so strong that no one would want to fight you.

Let’s take that on a spiritual level and be so strong that the devil would rather run from us than face us head on.

As for me, I’m far from perfect, but I know where my strength comes from, and I trust that God’s got my back.

Do you fear the devil and his demons, or do you dare him to even try?
How have you successfully defeated the powers of darkness in the past?
How do you prepare for battle now?
September 24, 2025

September 24th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David was just told that he was too violent to build the temple.

Maybe it was because of that violent reputation that Nathan delivered that message with the news that David’s family dynasty would continue.

David did not react with violence.

He reacted with humility.

He recognized that the true credit for his position went to God.

He knew God well enough to know that everything good in his life had its source in his Creator.

It’s easy to forget that.

We work hard to get where we are. We want to credit.

Like David, we need to know the true Author of our lives.

We owe our talents and skills, even the very breath we breathe to Him.

David had it right giving all the credit to God.

If we are honest, we must do the same.

Have you ever caught yourself patting your own back for your accomplishments?
How did that work out for you? (It never worked well for me).
September 17, 2025

September 17th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “The Lord did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”).”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Every now and then, I run into something in the Bible that is not only new to me but that I don’t have any clue about.

Today’s incident of that doesn’t have any bearing on my theology, but I’m curious what was behind it.

Why did David name that place “Baal-perazin?

Baal literally means possessor or “Master.)

David usually uses “El” or “YHWH” to describe God.

Why this change?

I honestly don’t know.

Commentaries are oddly vague about it.

I do have a couple of theories:
• Since this was former Philistine territory, David sticks with a local name.
• Because it was named as a result of battle, David downplayed God’s role.
• David was distracted by war and lost a little respect for God.

I could run with any of these and make a theological lesson from them.

In my opinion, that would be wrong.

There isn’t enough Biblical evidence to fully support any of these ideas.

Even if there was, I would be pulling them out of context.

While I admit I have occasionally pulled verses out of context, I try to only do that if the Bible as a whole supports the lesson. (If I mess up and try to bring lessons that are not supported by Scripture, please point it out to me).

So, what is today’s lesson?

It’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”

In fact, it’s better to say that than to lead people to wrong conclusions.

What is your take on the whole “Baal-Perazim” naming?
What are other scriptures that you haven’t figured out?
September 16, 2025

September 16th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 10-11

Highlight Verse:

“(Now the Lord had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel. And Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt, respected by Pharaoh’s officials and the Egyptian people alike.)”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This puzzled me.

Why would the Egyptian people and Pharaoh’s officials look favorably on Moses and the people of Israel?

I would have expected them to blame Moses and Israel for the plagues.

This verse tells me they knew better.

The plagues were a result of God’s wrath against Pharaoh’s stubbornness.

The people of Egypt saw how the Israelites had favor with God and wanted to be on their good side.

I believed that’s why they gave so generously.

So why do so many people today see Christians in a negative light?

The Israelites continued to work despite Pharaoh’s cruelty and were blessed by God for their efforts.

Besides that, they had a solid faith that didn’t change with the passing of each Pharaoh.

The Egyptian belief system revolved around appeasing many gods including the self-proclaimed God Pharaoh.

Today we hold on to a solid faith in the one true God.

We have joy that comes from that faith.

But we have a history of criticizing the shortfalls of those still bound by sin.

Instead of reaching out with the love of God, we rant on social media and or stay to ourselves, not even knowing our neighbors.

I believe it is also true that our society has given the evil one the unprecedented right to indoctrinate people against Christianity.

So, what can we do about it?

I believe we are at the beginning of a great world-wide revival.

If we continue the trend of pressing into God and reaching out to others with His love, we may yet see a turn around on the scale of Exodus.

If we stay within our little Christian clubs while we let the world influence us into complacency or reactionary anger,

that flame will fizzle out.

I for one, intend to reach out in love with the Author of all Love.

How can you press in to make your faith more solid?
What has God called you to do to reach out to others with His Love?
September 10, 2025

September 10th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You know, I would have been fine if all I knew about this time period was this tidy little summary.

But no! I had to read on.

Six sons of David from six moms, before David even became king of the united nation of Israel.

In the meantime – Ishbosheth reigns over the 10 tribes – poorly.

His rule was so weak, David was able to bully him into giving his first wife Michal back.

Then there’s the murders, beheading, executions… need I go on.

Israel in those days was all kinds of messed up.

But God still chose to use them. He even brought salvation through David’s family.

My family has had it share of problems. I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes.

But if God can use David and his family, I have great hope that He can use me and my family.

We remember David, despite all his shortfalls and mistakes, for his leadership and heart for God.

It is my hope that, when people look back on my life, they see a life of passion for God and positive influence on the people around me.

You might live a practically perfect life, or you may have made more than your share of mistakes.

But how will your life affect others?

Your love for Jesus and those around you will make a difference for generations to come.

I pray that you and I will go forth and change the world.

Can you relate to David?
How does what you do affect those around you? How can you make the most positive change?
September 3, 2025

September 3rd, 2025

NOTE: While most of the readers of this on our Facebook page are from the United States, interestingly, most who read here on the webpage are from elsewhere across the globe. While I am not familiar with the political situation where you might be reading this, the American political landscape has become increasingly divided in recent decades. My hope is that we may see beyond what divides us and find common ground in Jesus.

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 1-2

Highlight Verses:

“Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One Memorial Day when I lived in Virginia, I was in Washington DC for the weekend and happened to visit Arlington National Cemetery. There were crowds streaming toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier so, curious, I followed the crowd.

I found myself trapped in the amphitheater and forced to witness the Memorial Day speech of the then current President.

I did not like that President.

I was of the opposing party and I disliked much of what he did as President.

But that day, he brought respect to those who had given their lives to create and defend the United States.

I respected that.

It brought me new respect for the man.

I still wouldn’t vote for him, but he was the duly elected President of the United States and I fully respected the office.

Saul was the anointed King of Israel.

He did many things that David didn’t approve of, not the least being attempting to kill him.

But David had great respect for God’s appointment and wasn’t afraid to show it.

If we were to show respect for those who politically oppose us, we might be surprised at how much more peaceful our lives would be.

I’m not asking for people to go against their political convictions.

But we don’t have to be nasty towards our political opponents and their followers.

In fact, the more respect we show them, the more likely they are to listen to us.

In what ways can we show respect toward our political opponents without compromising our values?
How have you been able to bridge the political gap among your friends or family?
August 27, 2025

August 27th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 29-31

Highlight Verse:

“David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭30‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I cannot imagine anything worse than coming home to find that my wife and children had been kidnapped.

It didn’t help that the reason David and his men were away from home was to aid their historical enemies.

I may have felt the same way as David’s men in that circumstance.

But David found his strength in the Lord.

Instead of getting mad at God or despondent about losing his family, David found strength in God.

He consulted God and with God’s blessing and strength, he rescued all that been taken from them.

I’d like to say that whenever something bad has happened in my life, I’ve turned straight to God for strength and direction.

I’ve not always acted that wisely.

But when I did, restoration, blessing, and growth followed.

What is your first reaction when something bad happens in your life?
What do you do to keep your focus on God?
August 20, 2025

August 20th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 27-28

Highlight Verse:

“One day David said to Achish, “If it is all right with you, we would rather live in one of the country towns instead of here in the royal city.””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭27‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I want to point to this and say,

“See, David was a good ol’ country boy.”

But, let’s face it, at this stage in his life,

he became the dread pirate David.

He left the royal city so he could deceive Achish into thinking they were on the same team.

This wasn’t the best chapter in David’s life.

Discouragement from being constantly pursued by King Saul had worn him out

to the point of running to the Philistines and resorting to raiding enemy villages while he lived there.

He raided villages to the south of Israel so, when he came back, he could make it look like he had been raiding Israelite villages, strengthening his bond with Achish.

That was a bond that he should never have had in the first place.

He wasn’t making wise decisions.

And this is where I draw my thoughts from today.

When we are discouraged, we are vulnerable.

We might not go raiding enemy villages, but we may turn to the wrong people and try to keep them happy.

That didn’t work so well for David.

How do we deal with that discouragement?

We can surround ourselves with encouragers

– people who radiate wise advice while encouraging us to stay faithful.

Has discouragement ever led you to follow the wrong people?
How did you get through it?
August 13, 2025

August 13th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 25-26

Highlight Verse:

“As she was riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming toward her.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭25‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

We look at Esther and Ruth as great female role models.

But I think Abigail outshines them.

Here’s this lady who had to endure a rude and selfish husband.

When she sees that husband mess up big time, she takes immediate action.

Notice in the reading that the servants obey her without question.

And in today’s highlight verse, she rides straight towards David.

Think about it. The average person with any sense would have run away as far as possible until David and his men finished with Nabal.

Instead, she heads straight into danger to deal directly with the problem.

David recognized her bravery and sense. He listened and spared Nabal and his people.

And after Nabal died, David showed his admiration of her by asking her to become his wife.

Abigail’s wisdom, bravery, and eloquence show her to be an amazing role model.

What did you like best about Abigail’s story?
Who do you think is the best role model in the Bible (besides Jesus)?
August 12, 2025

August 12th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I find it amusing when people claim that there is no historical evidence that shows that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 400 some years.

It is true that Egyptian historians have mostly purged the memory of Israel from their history.

I probably wouldn’t have wanted to remember a slave population who destroyed my country’s armies as they escaped either.

Not a great image for Egypt.

That aside, there have been mentions of Hebrews in Egypt (using various Egyptian terms that describe people coming from the region around Canaan) in multiple papyri (Egyptian documents made of papyrus).

There is even one describing one of these groups building the great monuments of Ramses II.

Evidence also points to Egyptian influence on the Hebrew language and writing as well as Hebrew influence on Egyptian culture.

Last but not least, the most reliable document from that era by a wide margin has a detailed account of Israel’s arrival to and escape from Egypt.

That would be the Torah, also known as the Pentateuch, or the first 5 books of the Bible.

Many times as many early manuscripts exist of the Torah than of any other writing of that era.

To not trust it because it is “religious” would be the height of folly.

I believe the Bible already stands on it own in accuracy and relevance.

But, it’s nice to see archeological evidence backing up what the Bible has said all along.

How do you see the Bible – religious diatribe or accurate and inspiration writing that was breathed by God through its writers (or something else)?
Why or why not?o

Tag: History

In this case, it should be “Don’t mess with Israel.”

Let’s take that on a spiritual level and be so strong that the devil would rather run from us than face us head on.

As for me, I’m far from perfect, but I know where my strength comes from, and I trust that God’s got my back.

David was just told that he was too violent to build the temple.

He reacted with humility.

He knew God well enough to know that everything good in his life had its source in his Creator.

If we are honest, we must do the same.

Every now and then, I run into something in the Bible that is not only new to me but that I don’t have any clue about.

I honestly don’t know.

It’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”

Why would the Egyptian people and Pharaoh’s officials look favorably on Moses and the people of Israel?

If we continue the trend of pressing into God and reaching out to others with His love, we may yet see a turn around on the scale of Exodus.

that flame will fizzle out.

You know, I would have been fine if all I knew about this time period was this tidy little summary.

Then there’s the murders, beheading, executions… need I go on.

But if God can use David and his family, I have great hope that He can use me and my family.

I pray that you and I will go forth and change the world.

I did not like that President.

It brought me new respect for the man.

If we were to show respect for those who politically oppose us, we might be surprised at how much more peaceful our lives would be.

But David found his strength in the Lord.

I’ve not always acted that wisely.

But when I did, restoration, blessing, and growth followed.

“See, David was a good ol’ country boy.”

he became the dread pirate David.

Discouragement from being constantly pursued by King Saul had worn him out

When we are discouraged, we are vulnerable.

We can surround ourselves with encouragers

But I think Abigail outshines them.

Instead, she heads straight into danger to deal directly with the problem.

Abigail’s wisdom, bravery, and eloquence show her to be an amazing role model.

I find it amusing when people claim that there is no historical evidence that shows that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 400 some years.

Not a great image for Egypt.

Last but not least, the most reliable document from that era by a wide margin has a detailed account of Israel’s arrival to and escape from Egypt.

To not trust it because it is “religious” would be the height of folly.