As noted earlier, Deuteronomy 32:8 informs us that the division of humanity into disparate nations at Babel occurred in tandem with allotting those nations to lesser ʾelōhı̂m, the “sons of God” (and vice versa). This event is the Old Testament explanation for the devolution from humanity’s corporate relationship with the true God to individual nations with rival pantheons. Michael Heiser
Scripture
When we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.
Observation
Paul, Silas, and Timothy are writing to the church in Thessalonica.
They thank God constantly and pray for the believers. They remember their faithful works, loving deeds, and their hope in Jesus Christ.
God loves them and has has chosen them to be his own people. When Paul brought the Good News to them, it wasn’t just in words, but the Holy Spirit gave them assurance of the truth of the message. They received the message with joy, even though it brought them suffering.
Application
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not empty words, the clever words of skilful speakers. No, it is life and light brought to us through the power and the grace of the Holy Spirit.
People are hungry for relationship with God and reconciliation through Christ. But they are living in deception and darkness. Unless the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin, they will not hear the Good News.
Praise God for the Holy Spirit who gives us this assurance that the gospel is true. The Holy Spirit opens the eyes of our spirit so that we can see the light.
Every preacher of the gospel, and every hearer needs the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Holy Spirit come and fall afresh on me. Remind me of the power of the Good News. Fall on my friends who do not know you yet, so that they can receive your gentle conviction regarding sin. Amen.
Alston observes, There is considerable evidence in the Old Testament that an intimate relationship exists between the concept of the “wilderness” and that of the primordial chaos … that part of reality which cares not for human life and provides not for its sustenance, posing instead the constant threat of extinction. Michael Heiser
Scripture
So Saul, his three sons, his armour bearerr, and all his troops died together that same day
Observation
The Philistines attack Israel, and the men of Israel flee from them. The Philistines kill Saul’s sons and severely wound Saul. Saul tells his armour bearer to kill him, but he refuses, so Saul falls on his own sword. The armour bearer follows his action.
The Philistines move in to occupy the towns of the Jezreel Valley. The Philistines hang Saul’s body and those of his sons on the walls of Beth Shan. The warriors of Jabez Gilead take the body down from the wall and bury them.
Application
Saul’s downfall is complete. His entire dynasty is destroyed in a single day.
When God withdraws his favour from a person, disaster is assured.
Some people subscribe to a doctrine of election that states, “Once saved, always saved.” in other words, we can continue to live in sin while believing that we are guaranteed eternal life.
Saul’s story shows that we cannot presume on God’s grace like that. Saul was once elected by God, but he refused to submit to God. He wanted to be King in his own strength.
To remain in God’s family, we must submit ourselves to being obedient to God. To follow Jesus is, by definition, to let him be King over my life.
Prayer
Father, please show me those parts of my life that are not submitted to you, and help me to surrender all to you. Amen.
Nice ride along Yarrie Lake Rd this morning. I took a rare selfie, and forgot to change the mirror setting. 😀 #cycling #Narrabri
Evil spirits are members of God’s heavenly host who have chosen to rebel against his will. Michael Heiser
Scripture
But David found strength in the Lord his God.
Observation
David and his men arrived home at Ziklag to find that the city has been burnt to the ground, and the women and children have been carried off, including David’s two wives.
The men weep, but some become very angry with David, threatening to kill him. But David finds strength in the Lord his God.
After consulting The Lord, David leads his men to chase the Amalekite raiders. Along the way, they find an Egyptian man – a slave of an Amalekite. He had been abandoned after the raid on Ziklag. He agrees to leave David to the Raiders camp.
David and his men slaughter the Amalekites and regain all their women and children.
Application
For the man of David’s army, the sight of their town burnt down and their women and children taken into captivity was heartbreaking. David had to deal with his own grief, as well as that of his men and the anger that was directed against him.
David found his strength in the Lord his God.
We look to many places for comfort and strength in tough times. Some of these might be innocent, but others can become destructive and lead us into places of addiction, adultery and so on.
We need to find our strength in the Lord. He has promised to always be with us, to give us courage, peace and comfort when we need them.
Sometimes life just seems overwhelming. At these times we need to build on the habits of prayer and reading scripture. If you do these things routinely in good times, you will instinctively do them in tough times.
Prayer
Father, you promise to supply all that I need. Thank you for that assurance. Help me to always find my strength in you. Amen.
Nice ride out to Haire Drive ahead of a predicted hot day.
An Old Testament theology of the powers of darkness connects sinister spiritual beings with death, the realm of the dead, and an ongoing assault on the harmony, order, and well-being the good God of all the earth desired in the world he had created for humankind. Michael Heiser
In 2022 I rode nearly 6,000 km, my biggest year on the bike ever.
This is about 1 1/2 times the road distance from Sydney to Perth.
Two lessons from this:
New Life Narrabri 