By David Faust Recorded in 2 Chronicles 7 is how King Solomon and the Israelites dedicated the temple in Jerusalem: They knelt in awe as fire fell from the sky and God’s glory filled the temple. They sacrificed thousands of cattle, sheep, and goats. Musicians sang and praised God with their instruments. In the aftermath […]
Pass the Plate, Please—1 Chronicles 29
By David Faust At the dinner table it’s rude if you don’t pass the food. At church another kind of plate passes your way. How do you feel when the offering plate moves down your row? It’s tempting to view the offering with indifference (“I gave at the office”), skepticism (“I don’t trust the budget […]
Idols Among Us—2 Kings 17
By David Faust In his classic book, Knowing God, J. I. Packer wrote, “Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you.” How do we view God? Some deny his existence altogether (atheists) […]
Lead Like a King—1 & 2 Kings
By David Faust The Bible is the best leadership manual ever written. As the books of 1 and 2 Kings unfold biblical history, they also highlight positive examples to follow and tragic mistakes to avoid. Here are 10 lessons from Israel’s kings that every leader should take to heart: 1. Ask God for wisdom. Solomon prayed, […]
The Only One Left?—1 Kings 18 & 19
By David Faust The prophet Elijah rode a spiritual roller coaster of highs and lows. In a short period of time he literally went from a mountaintop to the valley of depletion and discouragement. On Mount Carmel he was a champion. In the desert he felt like a chump. On the mountain he felt vindicated. […]