Tag: bible

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

God’s Perspective: The Heart Over Appearance

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Randy Jacob on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Samuel 16.

I watched him walk into the church during the first hymn and sit in the back. He looked nervous and uncomfortable. He made me nervous and uncomfortable. I got the attention of an usher and said, “Make sure that guy has a worship folder.” In other words, “Keep an eye on him.”

Do you know what happened? Nothing. We had nothing to worry about. He was visiting family in town, stopped by for worship, and we never saw him again. But I’ve been taught, “See something, say something.”

In the aftermath, I remembered that while we look at appearances, God looks at someone’s heart. I am so shallow.

Having said that, I am also confused. First, when Samuel thinks he’ll anoint Jesse’s oldest son to be the next king, God says, “Nope. That’s not the one. Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

When they finally bring David in from tending the sheep, the author describes him as “glowing with health and…a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one'” (16:12).

I would have written something about David’s “heart.” I would have mentioned something about David’s character, his personality, or his faith. All of this will come out later. But why not sooner?

A few chapters ago, Samuel told a foolish and disobedient Saul, “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart” (13:14). Well guess what? David’s that guy. Not perfect. But on the same page. Makes mistakes. But runs to grace. Fights hard. Prays hard.

So what’s God want from me (you)? Pray hard. Pursue grace. Be on the same page (scripture).

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Making the rounds: Samuel judges Israel

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Samuel 7.

Pastoral ministry was my second career. With a math degree in hand, I programmed computers for a few years before I went to seminary.

Once parishioners got wind of my background, they assumed I’d be able to give them technical advice when their devices malfunctioned. While they wanted me to have solid theological credentials, they also wanted me to diagnose a printer that wouldn’t print, wifi that wouldn’t connect, or some malware that paralyzed a laptop.

Eventually, when someone asked, “Can I ask you about something?” I’d reply, “I hope it’s a bible question.” They would chuckle and ask me how to find a downloaded document on their computer.

I never did it, but I’m convinced that if I taught a Sunday School class on how to use your smart phone I would fill the room.

Everyone knew that the Lord spoke to Samuel and established him as a prophet. So Samuel “went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all those places,” as well as his hometown of Ramah (1 Samuel 7:16,17).

I would have gone to see Samuel when he was in my town. I love hearing from people who have spent time with the Lord. You can tell when someone spends time with God in the word and in prayer. Those folks see the world differently. They see God at work in both joy and heartbreak. Their gentle faith, contagious hope, and genuine love fill any room they’re in. Their conversation isn’t about them. It’s either about you or Him.

I’m thankful for folks like that. I hope you get to know some, too!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

It’s not a weapon

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Samuel 4.

In a classic Seinfeld clip Elaine asks her boyfriend Puddy, “So is it a problem that I’m not really religious?”

Puddy answers, “Not for me.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not the one going to hell.”

And just like that, faith is weaponized. I’m right and you’re wrong. I’m in; you’re out. I’m on the winning side; you lose. Heaven or hell.

Israel tries to weaponize their faith and lose big (1 Samuel 4:10,11). They assume that if they take the ark of the covenant into battle, they will win. Sorry, guys. The ark is an object of worship, not war. The presence of God is effective in spiritual warfare. But if you’re goal is to use God to hurt someone, think again.

Israel tries to use God and they lose. They lose big. They lose the battle and they lose the ark.

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but …against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

If you are using your faith, your God, or your salvation against other people, you’ve bought into a lie. The fight isn’t physical. It’s spiritual.

Stop attacking and start loving.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Life-changing prayer

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Hannah’s prayer is life-changing. Yes, it is life-changing because God does give her a son. But a change occurs before that.

Hannah is deeply distressed and pours out her soul before the Lord, bitter tears running down her face (1 Samuel 1:10, 15). After she prays, she “went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad (1:18). She leaves Shiloh a changed woman.

So what just happened to Hannah? She opened her heart and emptied it of all its sadness, despair, concern, and provocation. (The provocation came from Peninnah, the other wife, who could have children when Hannah could not.) Once she had unloaded all that to the Lord, everything was different.

Maybe our hearts weren’t designed to carry all the sorrow, anxiety, jealousy, and bitterness our lives absorb each day. Thankfully God has designed a relief valve: prayer.

  • “Cast your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
  • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
  • “Pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8).

So it’s okay to do that. It’s okay to open the floodgates and let all that pent up worry, grief, regret, and shame rush out. Our Lord is happy to clean up the mess.

That’s an interesting and profound way to picture grace, isn’t it? And then once you let it all out, you’ve got room for all God wants to pour into your life!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Gleaning and redeeming

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Mihály Köles on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Ruth.

Twice a week, pickup trucks slowly crawl through my neighborhood at dawn. They pull over and pick up things my neighbors have put out in the trash. They stop to take lamps and chairs, vacuum cleaners and computer monitors, plastic totes and old appliances. I assume that they repair and sell the small appliances, refinish the furniture, and sell the scrap metal.

That’s the closest contemporary comparison I have for Ruth as she gleans Boaz’s fields. God’s law stipulates that you leave a few grapes, a couple of olives, and a little wheat in the field as you are harvesting. Those in need can then come and collect what is left over. It is a way of providing for others. It is their way of surviving with dignity.

If anything, most of us have lots of “extra.” Extra stuff that fills up closets, shelves, garages, and storage units. We have extra stuff because we think we need it, it looks fun, and other people have it. So we buy it, too.

Or maybe we have extra stuff to supply what others need. God can redeem my greed, covetousness, and materialism. I can use it to help someone else.

To be hones, I don’t miss any of the stuff I’ve given away. I don’t miss the books, clothes, toys, dishes, tools, or furniture I’ve donated or left on the curb. That says a whole lot right there. I didn’t need it to begin with.

Boaz didn’t lose anything by leaving grain behind in his fields for others to glean. But he gained a wife (Ruth), a place in Jesus’s ancestry, and a mention in the bible. Just for being obedient, generous, and gracious.

Leave something out on the curb. Donate the things you aren’t using. Leave a little of your money unbudgeted. Empty all that stuff you don’t need out of your shopping cart. Let God redeem your “extra.”

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A downward spiral

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Dan Freeman on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from the book of Judges.

When I read through the rest of Judges, from chapter 9 to the end, I’m amazed at Israel’s downward spiral into idolatry, cruelty, and the abuse of power.

  • Gideon’s son Abimelech kills almost all of his brothers to secure a position ruling over Israel (Judges 9:5)
  • Jephthah sacrifices his own daughter as fulfillment of a stupid vow he made to the Lord (Judges 11:31,35).
  • Samson uses his strength mostly to mess with the Philistines and get women (Judges 13-16).
  • Micah makes his own idol and hires his own personal priest (Judges 17).
  • A Levite chops up his raped and murdered concubine and sends it out everywhere in Israel to spark a war with Benjamin and all but wipe out the tribe (Judges 20).

By the end of the book, the nation has descended into moral, social, political, and spiritual chaos. Just when you think they’ve hit bottom, a new chapter filled with new atrocities begins. And it’s all because “There was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

Increasing chaos awaits us, too, unless we have a king. And the king we need is Jesus.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Somebody

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by The Jopwell Collection on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Judges 6.

God says to Gideon, “Go in this strength of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian” (Judges 6:14).

Gideon responds, “O Lord, how am I to save Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house” (6:15). In other words, “How am I going to do that? I’m nobody.” God says, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be with you.”

Never underestimate the value of someone who says, “I’ll go with you.” To the doctor. To the funeral home. To lunch. To the store. Suddenly, you’re somebody. And so are they.

God has always been “somebody” to me. But how often do I think about me being “somebody” to God? When I pray, he listens – to me. When I’m reading scripture, he is speaking – to me. He created everything, and he created me.

I don’t have to work that hard to be somebody. I already am.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Somebody’s hero

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Esteban López on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Judges 3.

As they put down roots in the promised land, God’s people get into a cycle of unfaithfulness, repentance, and deliverance. They drift into idolatry, God lets enemies torment them, they cry out for help, God sends a judge to deliver them, after which they will drift into idolatry. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. God’s patience seems to be infinite.

The judges God raises up are an interesting bunch. Each is an example of personal Spirit-filled heroism. Many have a memorable quality. Ehud is left-handed, an uncommon trait among fighters of that time (Judges 3:15). Shamgar uses an oxgoad to kill six hundred Philistines (Judges 3:31). Gideon has the fleece (Judges 6:36-40). Samson exhibits superhuman strength (Judges 14:6).

Few people think of themselves as heroes. Most of the time, they’re just doing their job. But when you’re there at the right time in the right place, you might just be someone’s hero.

From Jesus’s point of view, heroes were always the least and the last. His heroes were children, servants who simply did their jobs, and sometimes those who did nothing but listen to him teach.

Every judge reminds us that Jesus is our deliverer, our ultimate hero.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

An environment for unfaithfulness

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Nathan Cowley on pexels

A “through the bible” devotion from Judges 1 and 2.

Productivity gurus and life coaches will tell you that your environment determines your habits.

  • If you’ve got chips in the house, you’ll eat chips. Throw out the chips and fill the fridge with fruit. You’ll be much more likely to reach for a healthy snack.
  • You’ve got your guitar in a case over in the corner. You’re not as likely to pick it up and play it as you would be if it were out on a stand where you can see it.
  • Own a dog? You’ll walk a lot more than if you didn’t have one.

God’s people didn’t create an environment for faithfulness. Over and over again we read, “[They] did not drive out the inhabitants” (Judges 1:30,31,33). As a result, “The sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals” (Judges 2:11). If you’ve got Baal worshipers living in the neighborhood, you’ll be tempted to join them. And that’s exactly what happened.

I wonder what happened. Did the people just get tired of fighting? Did they think the benefit of slave labor outweighed driving out all the inhabitants of the land? Were they simply disobedient? Yeah, I’ll bet it was the last one that got them into the most trouble.