By David Faust Reducing the size of your army is a strange way to prepare for a fight. After being visited by an angel and then stepping up to lead the Israelites (Judges 6), General Gideon must have been pleased with the 32,000 soldiers at his disposal to fight the overwhelming Midianite army. But God […]
Standing Out—Life Application for June 4, 2017
By David Faust The book of Judges tells about a stormy period in Israel filled with conflict and chaos. After Moses and Joshua died, the next generation lapsed into spiritual amnesia, forgot the Lord, and “worshiped various gods of the peoples around them” (Judges 2:12). The Canaanites should have come to the Israelites to learn […]
The Prophet’s Pity Party—Life Application for May 28, 2017
By David Faust Anger is only one letter away from danger. In the age of road rage and rancorous political debates, how should we handle our anger? Squash it like a bug? Fear it like a snake? Spray it like a skunk? If we suppress anger, it boomerangs back and leads to depression. If we […]
Is It Time for Some Sackcloth?—Life Application for May 21, 2017
By David Faust The Bible stirs my imagination and piques my curiosity. After three days inside the great fish, did Jonah ever eat seafood again? I’m guessing probably not. Here are some other questions Jonah 3 brings to mind: Do we appreciate the do overs God grants? “The word of the Lord came to Jonah […]
A Whale of a Prayer—Life Application for May 14, 2017
By David Faust Jonah sloshed around in a fish’s stomach for three days. Have you spent some time there as well? Maybe you’re stuck in a dead-end job, a long-term illness, or a messy family situation. Perhaps you’re frustrated with your church, torn between the impulse to move on and your commitment to stay and […]