Life's Inanities and Ironies

“ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10 Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a powerful story from the Old Testament that speaks directly to our walk with God. In 1 Samuel 25, we encounter a tale of wisdom, restraint, and divine justice that holds timeless lessons for us as believers. This chapter introduces us to David, Nabal, and Abigail—three individuals whose actions reveal the importance of living in obedience to God’s Word. As we unpack this story, I pray that the Holy Spirit will illuminate our hearts and guide us to apply these truths in our daily lives. The Story: A Summary In 1 Samuel 25, we find David, the future king of Israel, in the wilderness, fleeing from King Saul. During this time, David and his men protect the flocks of a wealthy man named Nabal. When David asks Nabal for provisions, Nabal responds with rudeness and ingratitude, refusing to help. Enraged, David prepares to take revenge. How...

In a world where we’re more connected than ever through technology, many of us still feel disconnected on a deeper level. We long for true community—where we can be ourselves, support each other, and grow together. Interestingly, the first Christians, as described in the Bible, had just that kind of community. In Acts 2:42-47, we see a group of believers who were devoted to each other and to their faith in a way that’s both inspiring and challenging. Let’s take a closer look at what made their community so special and see what we can learn from them today. What Is Acts 2:42-47? Acts 2:42-47 comes right after a big event in the Bible called Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, and Peter preached a powerful sermon that led to 3,000 people becoming Christians. Suddenly, there was this large group of new believers who needed to figure out how to live out their faith together. The passage describes how they did that: " They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teach...