‘So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. ‘
1 Chronicles 10:13-14 ESV
1 Chronicles 10: Be careful how you live and where you seek guidance. God has given his word for a reason. Don’t let distractions keep you from going to the Source. [Read the chapter.]
And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the Lord and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.
1 Chronicles 11:17-19
1 Chronicles 11: Misunderstanding and miscommunication cause David’s men to risk their lives on the whim of David’s longing. The water becomes a kind of “drink offering” that David pours on the ground as worship to the Lord. David as a man of strategy doesn’t want his men taking unnecessary risks. He is no ordinary king. [Read the chapter.]
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Colossians 1:24
Colossians 1: Paul continues his theme and perspective on suffering. Like James, he rejoices in trials and sees his life and even his death as an extension of the gospel story. Christ suffered so we shouldn’t be