Tag: God

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Get some rest

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Shane on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Kings 19.

The puppies and small grandchildren who run around our house seem to have limitless energy. They run full out until I tuck them into bed. That’s when they crash and immediately fall asleep.

After the fire of the Lord consumes Elijah’s sacrifice and he slaughters the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:38,40), Jezebel threatens his life (1 Kings 19:2).

After a day’s hike in the desert, Elijah prays, “Lord, take away my life” (19:4). I’ve had it. I quit.

He falls asleep and wakes to find an angel encouraging him to eat. After a second nap and meal, he takes a forty-day trip to a mountain called Horeb. Here, God speaks to him in a low whisper instructing him to anoints kings and a successor to be prophet in his place (19:15,16).

I think this is a great example of what we would call “self care.” Of course, it’s God who provides the physical and spiritual restoration. It was a great day on Mount Carmel. But even a prophet crashes when the adrenaline wears off. We weren’t designed to run full throttle forever. We were created needing rest. Without it, we get sick or our bodies break down. So will our souls, unless we take some time to rest.

Never feel guilty about taking care of yourself. Never feel guilty when God sends someone else along to care for you. He knows you need it.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A box for God’s people

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the Bible” devotion from 1 Kings 8.

“Will God indeed dwell on earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house which I have built” (1 Kings 8:27).

So why build a temple? Why build a church? Why make it look like your God lives in a box?

We naturally have places for things. Countries have capitals where the government is. Kitchens have cabinets where we stack the plates. Houses have shelves where we line up our books. Medicine cabinets hold all our pills.

So why wouldn’t you have a place for your God?

For many people, walking into church makes you feel closer to God. For some that’s a good feeling. For others, it’s ominous.

But some feel close to God walking down a trail through the woods. or looking up at a starry sky. Or holding an infant. Or reading a bible.

Bottom line: the box is for people, not God. The building is a place to gather and to be together. It’s a place to learn together, cry together, pray together, and celebrate together. If we could do it in our homes, we would, just like the early church. But when the Holy Spirit does his thing and the church grows, we just might need a bigger place to gather. It could be the beach. Or an amphitheater. Or a sanctuary.

No you can’t confine God to a box. But he’ll be there, wherever his people gather.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Comfortable in a tent

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Birk Enwald on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from 2 Samuel 7.

Whenever we’ve gone camping, we’ve taken time to walk through the grounds to see the variety of trailers and coaches set up for the night or for a long stay. We were always the smallest kid on the team, setting up camp in a tent, pop-up camper, or small trailer next to the behemoth rigs. With five slide outs, some of those forty-plus-foot vehicles had almost as much living space as the first house we bought.

Dwarfed by huge coaches at an RV park, I struck up a conversation with one owner who was grilling supper. He told me they had to stay put for a while because he really couldn’t afford the fuel to drive anywhere. That didn’t sound like much fun to me.

One day King David decides that God needs something better than a tent. If he’s living in a nice cedar-walled house, God should have a nice place, too (2 Samuel 7:2).

That’s not God’s style. The Lord says, “Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling” (2 Samuel 7:5,6).

God’s never had a house. His place was a tabernacle, set up wherever his people happened to be. The almighty creator of the universe was comfortable in a tent.

One day a descendant of David would build a house for the Lord. But for now, God has a better idea. “I will build you a house'” (2 Samuel 7:27). Someone from the house and lineage of David will always be on the throne of Israel, a promise that finds ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do something for the Lord. The magi bring gifts. A woman anoints him with expensive perfume. Tearful friends wrap his body in line and lay him in a tomb. His followers offer themselves up as living sacrifices.

I just need to remember that God’s greatest desire is to do something for me. He wants to give me abundant, eternal life.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Where does God fit into the equation?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Samuel 24-26.

At some pastor’s conference somewhere, we were talking about people and situations in our congregations. In response to one story, an experienced pastor said, “That’s something a well-timed funeral would cure.” We all chucked, but we also all nodded in agreement. (And now you’re all wondering, “Is my pastor eagerly awaiting my demise?”)

David has two chances to deal with King Saul once and for all. The first time David is hiding in the cave where Saul retreats to relieve himself. It was the perfect moment. But David wouldn’t touch him. Not the Lord’s anointed king (1 Samuel 24:10). He simply cuts off a piece of Saul’s clothing as proof that he could have ended Saul’s life in that moment.

Not long after that, David finds Saul and his entire army fast asleep. He gets close enough to take Saul’s spear and jar of water. He could have taken the king’s life. But once again David wouldn’t touch the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 26:9).

Why didn’t David take matters into his own hands? He knew God had made Saul king. At the right time God would deal with him.

God had anointed David king, too. God would take care of him.

It’s always tempting to take matters into our own hands. But before you do, ask, “Where does God fit into this equation?”

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The Spirit of the Lord and Saul’s Troubled Heart

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Nathan Cowley on pexels

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

“Why are you in such a bad mood?”

Hey, it happens to all of us, right? We’re grumpy, sullen, grouchy, agitated, irritated, anxious, or depressed. Or all of the above.

It happens to people in the bible, too. “Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him” (1 Samuel 16:14).

I’ve always struggle to understand what’s going on here. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord seems to come and go. And an “evil” (or harmful) spirit from the Lord doesn’t sound right at all.

Maybe it’s the writer’s way of describing someone who responds to the promises and the presence of God – or not. King Saul hasn’t exactly been on the same page as the Lord lately, so rather than living with assurance, he’s got nothing but fear, jealousy, and depression.

It’s kind of like your reaction to the return of Jesus. You might dread it or you might be excited about it. It just depends on your faith or your lack of it.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Waiting just a little longer

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Dima Solomin on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Samuel 13.

What if I had waited just a few more hours?

We had no power because of the most recent hurricane. The electric company estimated our service wouldn’t be restored for another five days. Great. Life-threatening? No. Inconvenient? Very much so.

I headed out in the morning and filled up six two-gallon gas cans for the generator. I bought two more long extension cords to bring a little power into different parts of the house.

About 3:00 in the afternoon, the lights in the house lit up and the AC turned on.

What if I had waited just a few more hours?

King Saul found himself in a tight spot. The huge Philistine army is bearing down on him. His own army has dwindled to six hundred as more and more went home. It’s been seven days and Samuel hasn’t show up. Saul has to do something. He’s king. He’s the leader. Everyone is looking to him for direction.

So Saul offers up the pre-battle burnt offering himself. As soon as he does, Samuel shows up and asks, “What are you doing?”

Saul said, “The people were scattering, you didn’t come, the Philistines were on their way, so I did what I had to do” (1 Samuel 13:12).

Samuel says, “That was foolish and disobedient. Say goodbye to your kingdom. God is going to find someone else to rule his people” (13:13,14). God is going to find someone who trusts him.

I am much more like Saul than I like to admit. I’m patient, but I’m not that patient. I trust God, but I’m on a schedule. My souls waits for the Lord, but you’ll often catch me glancing at my watch.

Ultimately, the only one who can really take care of God’s people is Jesus, who is God himself. Ultimately, he’s the only one I can trust. Not me. Not my judgment. Not my capability. Only him.

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

A familiar voice

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jelena Kostic on Unsplash

I didn’t recognize the phone number, but I answered the call anyway. After a tentative, “Hello?” The voice on the other end launched into conversation.

“O, good, you’re there. I wanted to ask you a question…”

They went on to explain the reason behind their question until I interrupted, “I’m sorry, who is this?” Some voices are familiar. Not this one.

I wonder if I would recognize God’s voice. When Samuel hears a voice at night, he assumes it’s his mentor, the high priest Eli. Who else would it be?

But it was God. We’re told the word of God was rare in those days. Hardly any visions. But after three calls in the night, Eli knows it’s the Lord. He instructs Samuel to reply, “Speak, for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10).

I’m not expecting to hear God’s voice in the night (or on the phone) since we’re told that, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 12:1,2).

The voice of Jesus? Saul didn’t recognize his voice (Acts 9:5).

So what’s left?

We’ve got eyewitnesses, like Peter who wrote, “We were there and we heard his voice” (2 Peter 1:17,18). Or John who also saw him and heard him (1 John 1:3). Or even Paul (aka Saul) whose question was answered with a definitety, “I am Jesus” (Acts 9:5).

Thanks to their testimony, the word of God is not rare. I’ve heard it, I’ve repeated it, I’ve sung it, and it is familiar and welcome in a world full of voices. And I’m listening!

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!