The Sword of the LORD

The story of the prophet Samuel's mother, Hannah, is one which reveals much about Christ and the true nature of grace.   The story begins in the first chapters of 1 Samuel.   There we are introduced to Elkanah and his two wives Hannah (whose name means "grace") and Peninnah (whose name means "jewel," or "precious stone").   Peninnah had several children with her husband, but Hannah had none.   As important as child-bearing was in those days, this created an adversarial atmosphere between the two wives.   Hannah felt badly that she could not have children of her own and share that special bond with her husband, and Peninnah used the situation to provoke Hannah and make her feel even worse.     During this time, the tabernacle of God was in a place called Shiloh, and Elkanah and his family would go up there to worship and offer sacrifices to God yearly.  While they were there, Hannah was in bitterness of spirit over her circumstance, and she wep...

The story of Samuel the prophet is an amazing one, and it holds many treasures of wisdom that we can learn from today.   This man was the direct product of his mother's faith, and of God's promise.   His mother, Hannah, was barren and prayed to God for a son.   In exchange for this son, Hannah vowed to "lend" him in service to the Lord for all of his life.   In fulfillment of this vow, she presented Samuel to Eli the priest to be taught and raised in the tabernacle at Shiloh right after he was weaned.   According to Jewish tradition, this may have been between the ages of 18 months and 5 years.     Besides being lent to the Lord for life, scripture says that Samuel "ministered unto the Lord before Eli," and that he was in "favor with the Lord, and also with men" (1 Samuel 3:1 and 2:26).  These same three qualities should be found in every true child of God:    ·          First, they shoul...

1  "We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work Thou didst in their days, in the times of old. 2  How Thou didst drive out the heathen with Thy hand, and plantedst them; how Thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. 3  For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but Thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thy countenance, because Thou hadst a favour unto them. 4  Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5  Through Thee will we push down our enemies: through Thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6  For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7  But Thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. 8  In God we boast all the day long, and praise Thy name for ever. Selah."  (Psalm 44:1-8).   Psalm 44 was written in response to an event that to...

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4).   The biblical story of Cain and Abel is incredible in its depth and teaching.  We find the gospel message revealed to us in its simplicity through this tale of jealousy and violence.  Writing to the Hebrew believers in the first century, the Apostle Paul states that Abel was still speaking to believers through his witness even though he had been dead for 4000 years.  Even today, Abel’s witness of faith and redemption rings out as clear as a bell to those who will hear it.   The account of Cain and Abel is told in the fourth chapter of Genesis.  There we find the story opening with the birth of two sons to Adam and Eve.  Cain was the firstborn and oldest of the boys, and Abel his brother came along after him.  Abel, we are told, was a ke...

The thirty-second Psalm provides us with the perfect road map for our Christian walk.   It outlines the principles of godly living that, if followed, will ensure our spiritual health every day.   It is amazing how much powerful "medicine" that the Lord can pack inside such a tiny capsule.   At just eleven verses long, it packs a mighty wallop!   "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile."  (Psalm 32:1, 2).  Our God delights in mercy.  He doesn't forever hold our sins against us; but, through our Lord Jesus Christ, He has blotted out our transgressions, and erased our sins.  As far as the east is from the west - that's how far God has removed our sins.  He demands that we be without guile (deceitfulness), however, in our dealings with Him.  If we pretend not to hear Him, or try to hide what we do from Hi...

"Peter answered and said unto Him, Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended.  Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice.  Peter said unto Him, Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee.   Likewise also said all the disciples ." (Matthew 26:33-35).   Each of us is willing to give our very best to the Lord at the beginning of our spiritual journey.   We make many promises to Him at the start when our faith is new and our experience is limited.   Like Peter, we may even pledge our lives in service for Him.   While such sentiments are well meaning, they come from a place of ignorance.   We just don’t know what discipleship is going to cost us yet.   These words and promises come very easily to "all the disciples" at first.    We simply do not understand as young Christians that this is a process, and that we are gr...