Covenant Stakes and Security Text: 1 Samuel 20 Rev. John Downs In life, our attention is naturally drawn to situations in which the stakes are high and there’s no guarantee of security. In reality, our spiritual life is much more …
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April 7, 2024
Reception and Refuge Text: 1 Samuel 18-19 Rev. John Downs The life of faith involves elements of both pleasure and pain that are held in tension, as explicitly illustrated in today’s text. The love and adoration of Jonathan, Michal and …
March 31, 2024 – Easter
Covenant Challenge and Champion Text: 1 Samuel 17 Rev. John Downs The encounter between David and Goliath is one of theological and cosmic significance, addressing the issue of whose god will rule. Rather than focus on the physical attributes of …
March 24, 2024
Wisdom and Work Text: 1 Samuel 16 Rev. John Downs At some point in our lives, all of us have had an unexpected disruption that tempted us to anxiety and to ask ourselves, “What do I do now?” Today’s text …
March 17, 2024
A Kingly Devotion Text: 1 Samuel 15 Rev. John Downs All of us have had high hopes that were never realized, and that is very disappointing. We see in today’s narrative that a presumptuous King Saul is in conflict with …
March 10, 2024
The Audacity of Faith and Ignorance Text: 1 Samuel 14 Rev. John Downs Context often determines the meaning of words. The narrative in today’s passage displays two types of audacity. Jonathan manifests a positive audacious confidence in God’s faithfulness, in …
March 3, 2024
Hope For The Helpless Text: 1 Samuel 13 Rev. John Downs Our text today shows the beginning of the end of the reign of King Saul and leaves us with a cliffhanger concerning the welfare of Israel, facing enemies “like …
February 25, 2024
Covenant Confrontation Text: 1 Samuel 12 Rev. John Downs Today’s text chronicles a ceremony of covenant renewal of God with his people. It comes at an inflection point in the history of Israel as they transition from the era of …
February 18, 2024
Salvation Out Of Shame Text: 1 Samuel 11 Rev. John Downs In the history of Israel, place carried a sense of significance, whether Gibeah, Jabesh-gilead or Gilgal. So, too, in the life of faith in Christ, we are reminded of …
February 11, 2024
Divine Clarity Text: 1 Samuel 10:17-27 Rev. John Downs The remaining vestiges of sin cloud our vision and judgment, like swimming in murky water. But our God brings his people clarity and vision. Like the people of Israel, we are …