Closer Day By Day

1 Samuel 17

Bible Passage:  1 Samuel 17 One of my favourite books I read during my childhood days was BFG (short for “Big Friendly Giant”) written by Roald Dahl. The BFG has a very pleasant character..he is gentle and lovable. Very unlike the giant that we read in today’s chapter. According to some of the oldest manuscripts, Goliath was over nine feet tall. With his stature, complete battle gear and...

1 Samuel 16

Bible Passage:  1 Samuel 16 I was thinking about what belovedoftheLord said about Saul being the young man that was chosen by God and loved by all men, not just the common men but also the prophet of God, Samuel.  In the beginning of this chapter, we see God telling Samuel to stop mourning for Saul and that he should arise to anoint the next king. Indeed if we find a person like Saul when he was...

1 Samuel 15

It is a remarkably sad thing to watch the fall of a great man. When we see a person who had been an outstanding servant from God go down the wrong path and is rejected ultimately, we can’t help but wonder how a person that had been doing such impressive work in the name of God can fall just like any other person. At the same time, it is a very good reminder and warning to us who are all striving...

1 Samuel 14

As we move into the next chapter of 1 Samuel, we see the drama continuing to unfold. Our chapter for today reads like an episode from a historical court drama that would have ended in tragedy if not for the integrity and loyalty of the ’supporting cast’. What was the recipe for this tragedy and what can we learn from it as Christians as well as members of the body of Christ? Let’s...

1 Samuel 13

Bible Passage:  1 Samuel 13 Saul the first king of Israel; He was humble and meek. In the beginning he had a good heart, And the spirit of God abided with him, And the people also respected him. One year passed, And the second came by quickly, What was Saul like then? His faith had deteriorated, And God’s command he disobeyed. Only a priest or a prophet could sacrifices, But Saul thought...

1 Samuel 12

There is really none like our God, the True God, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all mankind. Faithfulness is His nature, Love is His name, and Righteousness is His crown. Indeed wonderful is our God, and blessed are we who are His children, for He is pleased to make us, who are unworthy, to be His people. The above words may sound generally poetic in describing our Lord God, but I think...

1 Samuel 11

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 11 Today is the day Saul was officially made king of Israel.  Although he had been anointed previously in private and chosen by lot in public as king, it was probably not time yet to ascend the throne. Hence, we saw that Saul returned home (1 Sam 10:26). In today’s chapter, however, we read of how that opportunity arises for Saul.   The Ammonites have come up against...

1 Samuel 10

Bible Passage:  1 Samuel 10 Of all the things we are likely to hear about Saul, it is usually the depressing, negative, objectionable accounts that recur: Wasn’t he the one that jumped the gun and made the unholy offering? Wasn’t he the one who was oblivious to God’s departure from his life? Wasn’t he the one who tried to kill David on countless occasions? Wasn’t he...

1 Samuel 9

Bible Passage:  1 Samuel 9 “And he had a choice and handsome son …. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.” And that describes Saul, son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, and the first King of Israel! Sounds like a pretty impressive description of a fine young man, doesn’t...

1 Samuel 8

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 8 Give us a king! The bulk of Samuel’s life and ministry is passed over until chapter 8 where we find him as a man getting up in his years, perhaps looking toward retirement. He appointed his sons as judges over Israel..Unfortunately, his two sons were not godly men like their father; they do not “walk in his ways.” (1 Sam 8:3) The elders made use of this...