David’s battle with Goliath is one of the most well known stories in the Bible. The story can seem so familiar that we often miss some important underlying ideas. This battle shows us the faith of David but also his shadow of pride. Ultimately his victory shows us our need for an ultimate victory found in David’s son.

David wasn’t a person any one would consider presidential material. He was a young migrant farmhand. But God sees in David a man after his own heart. David’s inner joy was contrasted with Saul’s dark sadness. David shows us the importance of cultivating a vibrant inner life.

Summary to come

Hannah was a woman with a secret shame. Though she was loved by her husband, she was unable to have children in a society that prized motherhood. But Hannah shows us the way God can heal, restore and redeem. The story of King David is first the story of a great woman of faith.

The Holy Spirit 

The Holy Spirit unites us to Christ

The Holy Spirit dwells in us - God’s presence with us 

The Holy Spirit empowers us to change - to mortify sin 

Adoption - we are God’s children and can cry Abba Father

How to love the Unlovable

The book of Ruth seems like the movie Beauty and the Beast. In the Disney film we are made to believe that looks don’t matter, that anyone can find true love regardless of their appearances. Ruth 1-3 starts off like Beauty and the Beast. Naomi and Ruth have no value in a patriarchal society as widows without husbands, sons, or wealth. We are led to believe that they will be blessed despite what the world says their value is. But then in chapter 4 Ruth marries Boaz and has a son. Like the Beast becoming a Prince, it is easy to think that the book of Ruth is another fairytale that ends with the importance of looks, husbands, sons, and wealth. But Ruth is not a book about God’s PRESENTS but his PRESENCE. God does not miraculously show up in chapter 4. God is with Naomi and Ruth in their pain and loss as well as their provision and protection. God was with them from the beginning because they like Judah and David are people with a tender conscience and repentant hearts. Even though that faith was the size of a mustard seed, God was with them. God doesn’t seem to speak very much in this book. But one thing that is crystal clear in Ruth is that God listens. He hears the cries of his people knowing what our hearts need and are truly longing for. In this way Ruth leads us to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Through the gift of his son we know we trust in a God who is slow to speak and quick to listen giving us what we ultimately desire; His Presence, acceptance, and favor by grace alone through faith alone.

The gospel first speaks a disastrous word to us - we are stiff-necked sinners who should be cut off from God's presence. But God's final word is Jesus, and through Him we enjoy God. And God's presence is God's greatest gift to us.

Faith is a choice. It’s not some kind of feeling that flows from believing; it is the decision to believe. And faith's biggest opponent is fear. Faith and Fear must learn to never co-exist. Each time we choose faith over fear, our spirit grows. Our faith proclaims that God is who He says He is and that He is in complete control.

Many people are stuck in the past or stuck finding meaning in the present. The resurrection of Jesus from the grave means that God can turn our worst things into the very best things. His resurrection means that the present is now filled with possibility and the future is bursting with hope.