2020 Bible Vision

Melissa Brewer

3.26.2020

2 Samuel 5-7

David becomes King and defeats some enemies with the consultation and trust in God. This includes the Philistines where he takes back the ark of God. While traveling to the city of David with the ark, an oxen stumbles and Uzzah reaches out to hold it. God kills Uzzah immediately for his irreverence towards God. David fears God for this and doesn’t want the ark. The ark stays with Obed-edom. Obed-edom’s whole family is blessed for having the ark. David hears of this and decides to bring the ark to the City of David. He sacrifices animals on the way and dances with all his might on the journey. Michal, David’s wife is embarrassed of her husband and David responds, “I will celebrate before the Lord, and I will humble myself even more and humiliate myself.” As all things are going well, David contemplates the fact that he is living in a cedar house while God is living in a tent and consults Nathan in building God a house. God responds by saying He has lived in a tent since bringing the Isrealites out of Egypt. He has always been with his people and destroyed their enemies. The Lord Himself will make a house for his people. His descendant will build a house and God will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

What is one key verse?

2 Sam 7:22 “This is why You are great Lord God, There is no one like You, and there is no God besides you, as all we have heard confirms.”

How does what you read change your vision of God?

God’s plan is not visible to our eyes unless we listen to him and read his word. David wants to build God a house and God responds by saying that is not the plan. The tent in which he lives is about His relationship with His people. How he rescued them from Egypt, defeated their enemies and became their God unlike any other gods. It’s not about the outward appearance of a tent but about the relationship with His people as being their God forever and for the purpose of one day blessing all nations.

How will you Go With God because of this reading?

Read my bible. Listen to God. Find hope in God’s words who fulfills His promises and defeats our enemies. 

Ryan Brewer

3.25.2020

2 Samuel 1-4

The beginning of 2 Samuel is full of politics, drama, and bloodshed. Just reading through the Bible, this section may be difficult to follow due to the complex relational tensions between groups of various loyalties. At the beginning, an Amalekite brings news to David that King Saul is dead. The Amalekite explains that Saul was impaled on his own spear but had not died. Saul begged the Amalekite to kill him, and the Amalekite complied. But David recognized Saul as the Lord’s anointed, so he had the Amalekite executed and mourned for Saul. David inquired of God and was anointed to be king. But Abner appoints Ish-bosheth to be king, one of Saul’s sons. There is a bloody battle at Gibeon, Abner joins David, Joab kills Abner, David mourns Abner, and finally Ish-bosheth…is murdered.

What is one key verse?

After this David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” And he said, “To Hebron.” -2 Samuel 2:1

How does what you read change your vision of God?

Even as the political tensions of Israel mounted in a time of great chaos, David was concerned not about power or safety, but about the will of God.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

Even in the midst of uncertainty during this pandemic, we should seek out God’s guidance in everything. He planned this world event, not to hurt us, but to bring us near to him. In the midst of all the chaos in Israel, God was preparing David to be a great king, leading the people to God.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I will pray more for God to give clear guidance in this time of chaos and uncertainty.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

Jesus is seen in the peace and surrender David has in the midst of his struggles. He defends Saul as the Lord’s anointed. At every step, we should recognize Jesus as God’s anointed king and eagerly bow to his will.

Kristen Van Bueren

3.24.2020

1 Samuel 27-31

These chapters highlight the spectrum of highs and lows during this new time in Israel’s history. After David spared King Saul’s life – for the second time – David knows deep down that Saul will never stop pursuing him. So David flees to live amongst the Philistines, but while out fighting battles, all of David’s wives and children – as well as those of his fighting men – were captured and carried off by foreign nations. His men wanted to put him to death, but David remained faithful to God, fought and recovered all his family and his men’s as well. Meanwhile, Saul is tormented by the fact that God has withdrawn his favor. He uses a medium to conjure up the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, who reminds Saul that he is experiencing all his anguish/suffering because of his disobedience of God. And then Samuel tells Saul of his impending death – and the death of his sons.

A key verse that stood out to me from this reading was

1 Samuel 30:6 “And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” 

The reason this stood out to me because when it seemed like all was lost and even his closest friends were turning on him, David was able to find his strength and comfort in God alone. This is especially impactful during this unique time of uncertainty that we live in.

How will I “Go With God” as a result of this reading? It may seem obvious, but I want to grow so much more in inquiring of the Lord before I make any decision – significant ones of course – but also the mundane ones. Not only that, but during this time that we as humanity are facing amidst the coronavirus – like David – I want to desperately find my source of strength and comfort during these uncertain times in God alone. 

Where do I see Jesus in this reading? Undoubtedly, Jesus felt hard pressed – like all was lost and everyone he loved and invested in was turning their backs on him – those whom he tried to serve were screaming for his crucifixion. And in the garden – when he could have given up and called it quits – Jesus strengthened himself in his Father.

Stephen Van Bueren

3.23.2020

1 Samuel 24 – 26

These chapters highlight King Saul’s relentless pursuit of David – and his desire to kill him in order to protect that which God had already promised to remove from him – his throne. Chapter 24 recounts David and his men hiding in a cave and King Saul entering that cave to…uhhh…well you know…relieve himself 🙂 Even though it seemed as if God were serving Saul up on a silver platter – and at the urging from his men – David refuses. Chapter 25 details how a woman named Abigail intervened on her husband Nabal’s behalf – even though he was a harsh, unloving and unkind man – saving him from a certain death at the hands of David and his men. Nabal dies a week and half later and Abigail becomes one of David’s wives.   Chapter 26 once again highlights Saul’s pursuit of David – the opportunity for David to kill Saul while he slept – but David’s faithfulness to God above all else – sparing Saul’s life.

The key verse that stood out to me was

1 Samuel 24:4-7 “…And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, ‘The LORD forbid that i should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed…’” 

I’m struck by the humility, faithfulness and reverence of David – despite the most trying and desperate circumstances he found himself in. The prophet Samuel had anointed David to be King in place of Saul. For what was certainly a significant period of time – may be even years – David is on the run for his life – hiding in caves and crevices in the mountains. Finally an opportunity afforded itself to David to put an end – to take matters into his own hands – and end the nightmare of running for his life. And though he did not do it – even what he did do by cutting a piece of Saul’s robe – strickened David’s conscience. Saul was not a godly man. He was unfaithful to the LORD and had his kingdom taken from him. And even still – David viewed Saul as the LORD’s anointed and refused to take matters into his own hands – but rather decided to wait patiently on God’s timing.

I’m humbled because whenever I face adversity – my inclination is not to patiently wait for God to move me out of that situation – but rather to take matters into my own hands. Therefore, as a result of my reading, how I will “Go With God” moving forward – I will decide to trust more in God’s timing, have a reverence for His Holiness – and patiently wait on Him for deliverance as opposed to trying to deliver myself!

How I see Jesus in this reading is that he could easily and at any point taken matters into his own hands. What Jesus was facing was far more terrifying than what David endured – or anything that I could possibly go through – yet he humbled himself, was patient – not taking matters into his own hands – and trusted himself to God, his timing and deliverance – at his resurrection!

Jill Perez

March 21, 2020

1 Samuel 20-23

1 Samuel 20:  David angers Saul when he skips the meal for the new moon. Jonathan betrays his father by helping David flee for his life.

1 Samuel 21:  David convinces the priest Ahimelech to provide him with bread and a sword. David flees to the Philistine city of Achish where he feigns madness.

1 Samuel 22:  David escapes from the Philistines and safekeeps his parents with the king of Moab. With the exception of one son named Abiathar, Saul has Ahimelech’s priestly family killed.

1 Samuel 23:  The Philistines attack Keilah and are driven away by David. Saul chases David into the mountains but fails to capture him.

1 Samuel 23:4

“Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.”

This scripture stood out to me because David inquired of the Lord often enough that it used the wording “Once again” and the Lord continued to answer him.

How does what you read change your vision of God?  This scripture continues to enhance my Vision of God because he is always wanting us to turn to him.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?  When I think of this scripture, it makes me want to inquire of God in everything for myself and on behalf of others.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? I will go with God because of this reading to be thinking to inquire of God more often and with more things.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? This scripture reminded me of Jesus because even he relied on and inquired of the Lord all the time.  Jesus prayed with loud crying and tears, he often prayed all by himself, all night or early in the morning while it was still dark. The most noted time he inquired of the Lord was when he was in the most distress of his life in the garden of Gethsemane where he prayed 3 times to get his heart in line with God’s will.  How many times have you prayed about the same thing so that you would be surrendered to God’s will and not your own?

Phil Perez

3.20.2020

1 Samuel 16-19

These chapters contains one of the most familiar stories in the bible.  It contains the anointing of David as the King of Israel and his battle against the mighty Goliath.  David’s success made Saul even more paranoid and insecure about his own reign. David in all his dealings with King Saul remains righteous.

A key verse for me from these chapters is 1 Samuel 16.7 

As Samuel is in Bethlehem under the pretext of sacrificing a young cow which may insinuate he was there to investigate an unsolved murder (Deuteronomy 21.1-9) he has Jesse’s sons stand before him and is initially quite impressed with Eliab and is convinced by appearance that he is the Lord’s anointed

16.7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his height, because I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”

Mankind focuses on the visible while God focuses on the invisible.  

Reminds me of Jesus in John chapter 2 which states that Jesus knows what is in the hearts of people.  

My constant prayer is to have eyes that see what God sees, and to have ears that hear what God hears so that I can live in his direction.

I think this is especially a good prayer when we have such confusing times where people are in need of God’s direction.  I want to make sure especially at this time that I am not just looking at the visible and physical – but attending to people’s inward needs as well.  

Beth Nagel

3.19.2020

1 Samuel 13-15

Summary:

These three chapters are jam packed with action and mostly focus on Saul’s first years as Israel’s king.  Saul proves that he is unworthy of being king through his interactions with Samuel that highlight his disobedient heart.  First he makes a sacrifice that he shouldn’t have made. He follows that up with not making a sacrifice that he should have made.  In between, we meet Jonathan and it is hard not to be impressed with his heroism at Michmash. He also is willing to disobey his dad (the king) in order to keep up the morale of the people.  

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 15: 22-23

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

How does what you read change your vision of God?

Sometimes I think God wants these big sacrifices from me, and I get discouraged because it just seems like too much.  But what God wants more than anything at all is pretty simple. God wants me to obey. God wants me to listen. Sacrifices are important, but God doesn’t want it if it comes from a disobedient heart.

How does what you read change our vision of yourself or others?

One thing I noticed is that both of the mistakes that Saul makes center around sacrifices. First he makes a sacrifice that he shouldn’t and then he fails to make the right sacrifice.  This makes me want to examine the things that I’m sacrificing. Is it the right sacrifice?  

How will you God with God because of this reading?

I will go with God to examine my sacrifices to see if they are aligned with God’s word and be sure not to compromise.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters?

I see Jesus in this chapter by looking at how Saul’s failures to listen and obey stand in stark contrast to how Jesus perfectly listens to and obeys God.

2020 Bible Vision

Joel Nagel

3.18.2020

1 Samuel 9-12

Israel gets its first king.  Saul comes from Benjamin, the least of the tribes, but he stands a head taller and is exceedingly handsome.  He has the look of a king and his story almost begins like a fairy tale with him searching for lost donkeys, stumbling across Samuel the prophet, and hiding out when his lot is cast and he’s declared king.  He wins a decisive battle which immediately cements his reign. But the fairytale descends into a nightmare quickly, as the king’s heart for God’s authority is not as desirable as his looks. Samuel recounts the ways that God has always looked after his people without a human king and does not hold back in calling their desire for a king sin.  He warns them that they and their king will need to follow God and not turn to idols and he brings thunder and rain in the dry season as a miraculous backup for his warnings. The people ask Samuel to pray for them so they will not die for this extra sin and he famously promises to pray for them.

Key Verse:

1 Samuel 12:14 “If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord you God, it will be well.”

These chapters are so interesting because there seems to be such a tension between right and wrong but so much mercy from God and even hopefulness in the midst of a sin that breaks God’s heart.  He lets his people do this thing with their free will that he is opposed to. He knows what Saul will become and what future kings will do to his people and it breaks his heart. There is a hopefulness though.  If the people and their king will obey God, then it could be so good. Unfortunately, as we keep reading this will be a rare occurrence.

This encourages me to be more open minded and hopeful for people even when it seems like they are making bad choices.  God works with sinful people (like me!) to do his work all the time.  

I want to be an agent of grace that leads people to God even as I speak the truth like Samuel did.  It’s a tough balance!

I see Jesus in this passage and in particular the key verse because it isn’t until his reign and his church that we have a king and a people who do the will of God.  God’s people were blessed with some imperfect but good kings but none of them can compare with King Jesus. We’re so blessed to have a king that Isaiah said wasn’t special looking like Saul but was willing to sacrifice for his people.  A king who chose a crown of thorns over a crown of gold. Praise God!

Alex Bryant

3.17.2020

1 Samuel 4-8

Summary:

This section begins with Israel going out to battle with the Philistines. They lose the first battle, and then try to use the ark of the Lord to ensure their victory the next time, but they lose again!  And worse, the ark is captured! When Eli hears the news about his sons dying and the ark being captured he falls and breaks his neck and dies.

Then God gets to work – he systematically destroys the Philistines from the inside.  The Philistines thought they were gaining an asset by stealing the ark, but little did they know it would lead to their demise!  First, God makes the Philistine god Dagon bow in worship to him, then he strikes the Philistines with a tumorous disease.  The Philistines decide they’ve had enough and desperately try to return the ark by yoking it to two milk cows and sending them in the direction of Israel, along with a guilt offering of five golden tumors and five golden mice.

The cows bring the ark to Beth-shemesh (which means house of the sun, very far from New Orleans though).  It is the ruin of many a poor boy, however, as 70 men are struck down just for looking at the ark! What a holy and powerful God.

Israel seems to repent of their idolatry and promises to serve the one true God alone, and set aside their Baals and Ashtaroths, then Israel fights the Philistines again.  Third time is the charm, the Lord “thunders with a mighty sound” which causes the Philistines to be thrown into confusion, allowing them to be defeated by Israel.

There follows a time of peace, and Samuel makes his sons judges over Israel.  They are terrible though, and shortly afterward the elders of Israel beg Samuel to appoint a king for them.  Samuel warns them it won’t turn out well for them, but they insist.

“But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel.  And they said, ‘No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.'”

1 Samuel 8:19-20

This verse struck me because God had just proven to the Israelites that he was more than capable of fighting their battles for them.  God had also called Israel to be holy, that is, “set apart” from the nations around them, and now they want a king so they can be just like them!

How does what you read change your vision of God?

This passage shows me how patient God was with Israel and how patient he still is with us today! Even after he proves himself time and time again, we will still fall short, fail to see the bigger picture, and make foolish decisions, but God never abandons us.  He even sometimes gives us what we want (in the moment) so that we can realize what we actually need!

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

This passage caused me to reflect on my motivations for things.  If I want something, is it because it will glorify God and bring me closer to him, or is it because I want to be like others around me?  Or, am I looking for something to provide what God has promised to provide for me?

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I want to think more about my motivation when making decisions, and make a conscious effort to pursue God with my whole heart!

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

I saw Jesus in this passage when God defeated the Philistines on behalf of Israel.  This reminds me of how Jesus defeated sin on our behalf on the cross!

Tony Whalen

3.16.2020

1 Samuel 1-3

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:
Hannah was without a child, she was struggling with that fact and prayed to the Lord about the struggles of her heart. The Lord responded to her prayer by providing her with a son Samuel. She responded to God giving her a son by giving Samuel up to serve the lord. He ended up responding to the Lords call and serving in place of the priest Eli’s disobedient sons.

What is one key verse?
1 Samuel 1:27-28 “I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked him for, I now give the boy to the Lord.”

How does what you read change your vision of God?
I think what I read gives a generous picture of God. He saw Hannah with a heart that wanted to rely on him and was pouring everything out to him to the point where she was mistaken for being drunk. God saw her in the tumultuous state and decided to be graceful and grant her the ability to have children.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
I think the verse before gives a good picture of the response to have to the gifts that God gives me. So often it is easy to just want and ask something from God to have it for selfish reasons, or comforts. In the scripture Hannah receives a son from God and her response is to give him to service for the Lord with a heart of thanks. I feel that’s very convicting seeing as when I receive from God my heart can go to a selfish place.

How will you Go with God because of this reading?
I want to Go with God by having an enduring perspective that looks at the things God has done in my life and wants to respond gratefully to them. I want to not take for granted what God has done and be able to appreciate all of the different aspects of my life the God has graciously given me.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters?
I see Jesus in the heart Hannah’s response to God in her prayer in 1 Samuel 2. She prayed a prayer of confidence and rejoicing in God. Which is the way that Jesus lived his life in full knowledge and confidence of God’s glory and power.