How do we hear God when He speaks? First Samuel 3 shows us a picture of God’s faithfulness to speak to us even when we have ignored Him in the past.
Read More
obedience
Receiving God’s Guidance
The discernment of God’s will does not come from employing certain techniques. To discern God’s will is to understand how to please Him and to be watchful for His daily guidance. This requires an ongoing and genuine relationship with the Lord. In particular, there are five facets of our relationship with Him that are prerequisites for receiving His guidance.
Read MoreRuth 3: Behind the Scenes
Appearances can be deceiving. A man and a woman meeting in a secluded location after dark—an outsider may jump to immediate conclusions. But the story of Ruth shows the virtuous character of Ruth and Boaz as they seek to honor the Lord with their obedience, coming to know Him as they recognize Him at work behind the scenes.
Read More
Ruth 1: A Faithful Remnant
The story of Ruth and Boaz takes place during the days of the judges and is a shining light amidst the darkness. It is a beautiful cameo of character, courage, and commitment, in which two people—Ruth and Boaz—sought what was right in the Lord’s eyes rather than their own.
Read More
Judges 6–7: Severe Mercy
The human tendency is to rely on our own resources instead of the Lord. Knowing this, God made it abundantly clear to Gideon that His hand alone would save Israel—it was not human might that defeated Israel’s enemies.
Read More
Judges: In Need of a King
Civilizations and circumstances change, but the human heart does not. Every one of us has to choose whether we will rebel against God or whether we will submit to His will.
Read More
Judges 2: A Pattern of Idolatry
The book of Judges stands as a sad, stark contrast to the book of Joshua. Whereas the people of the conquest obeyed the Lord under Joshua’s leadership, they quickly fell into rebellion after his death. Because they had set aside God’s law, their enemies were defeating and oppressing them.
Read More
Joshua 24: Reviewing God’s Purposes
People often begin well but end poorly. The life of Joshua shows us that finishing strong requires remembering God’s purposes and depending on HIm.
Read More
Joshua 23: Remembering God’s Faithfulness
At the end of his life, Joshua gave a farewell speech to the people of Israel, exhorting them to remember God’s faithfulness in order to trust and obey Him.
Read More
Joshua 6: Obeying God
The story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho demonstrates that victory ultimately belongs to God. Even when we do not understand God, we must obey Him.
Read More