Category: Faith in the Struggle

Punishment Isn’t My Job

But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’S anointed and be guiltless?” And David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish.” 1 Samuel 26:9-10 In…
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Only Sober in Jail

So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 1 Samuel 26:2 It’s natural to question the authenticity of any transformation claimed by the man (or woman) sitting in jail. Most people in jail have significant regrets and…
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Boys Will Be Boys

Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife. 1 Samuel 25:39 My wife and I recently watched a documentary about a sports hero whose toxic behavior towards women cast a shadow over his legendary career. This was someone I greatly admired and when the story initially came out years ago,…
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When Someone Asks Me for Money

And Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? . . . Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” 1 Samuel 25:10-11 If you’ve been reading…
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When I Smashed My Finger Loading Bricks

Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 1 Samuel 25:33 I like to think of myself as even-tempered and levelheaded. I don’t get stressed often and I don’t find that I’m easily upset. In fact, I’m quite delightful…
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Fighting About the Boat Lift

She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.” 1 Samuel 25:24 A couple weeks ago, my wife and I were letting the boat down off the boat lift when it began to creak,…
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The Sore Winner

“Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” And David swore this to Saul. 1 Samuel 24:21-22 I’m not that competitive of a person . . . until it comes to the gym.…
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When I Played Hockey

He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” 1 Samuel 24:17 In college, one Minnesota winter, all my friends would get together every day after class and go play hockey on one of the many nearby ice rinks. I knew nothing…
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You’re Making Me Angry

I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 1 Samuel 24:11 On my way to work at the jail yesterday morning, I stopped at a specific gas station, which I knew had s’mores coffee – my current seasonal favorite – for a limited time. For whatever reason, this s’mores…
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The Dozen Donut Diet

And Saul said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, for you have had compassion on me.” 1 Samuel 23:21 There’s a primitive part of my brain that is all impulse and desire, always seeking that which will make me feel good right now: Food, Sex, Drugs. Keeping this primitive brain in check, is the…
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