3.1 We believe that, before the creation of the world, God chose and planned to save a vast company of people which no man can number. He did so solely because of His great love and mercy, and not because
Sin, God and us
2.2 However, the first man Adam rebelled against the commands of God. Because of his rebellion, he forfeited the relationship with God which he had enjoyed, and evil and death began to affect creation. Photo by Aaron Burdan on Unsplash
What did we lose?
2.2 However, the first man Adam rebelled against the commands of God. Because of his rebellion, he forfeited the relationship with God which he had enjoyed, and evil and death began to affect creation. Photo by Zach Lucero on Unsplash
Good things can be dangerous
Israel wants a king. That’s good. They want a king like other nations. Not so good. Samuel has warned them of this fault in their desire and their failure to trust the Lord. But they aren’t listening. Well, the Lord
Is Saul also among the prophets?
People can change. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes for the worse. But if you want genuine change then it has to be by the power of the Lord. Only He can take away sin, transform the heart and cause you
A prince for Israel
Unexpected by him but planned by God, Saul has met Samuel. Now, with careful privacy, Samuel prepares Saul to be a leader in Israel. He’ll be more than a judge but he’s not called as king by Samuel and, ideally,
Act in haste, repent at leisure
Samuel has taught Israel not to look to human appointed judges. His mother spoke of the Lord being the true hope of Israel, and of the king he will send. But the elders of Israel, along with the people, have
The flesh is weak
Samuel leads Israel righteously. But he’s also a man of limitations, who can’t even raise his own sons to follow in his footsteps. However, Israel keeps failing to see how weak we are in our own flesh and how we
Repair or replace?
The kingless and clueless Israel of Samuel’s time has proven to be a sinful disaster. But what should they do? Samuel points them to the grace of God as their only hope. As a result, they receive initial help with
A revolutionary poem
Hannah has had her prayers heard by the Lord. Now she responds with thanksgiving and sacrifice. Her response becomes a memorable Psalm of Israel, but also a subversive one because it speaks of how God reverses situations to overturn the