The story of Hosea is a sad one. God compelled him to marry a prostitute, resulting in a great deal of heartache and sadness in Josea to the point that he was ready to divorce her because he could not stand it anymore. Our text picks up in the middle of that lament, where Josea expresses another chance at the redemption of the relationship. Hosea’s story is, of course, a metaphor for God’s relationship with His people. Despite repeated heartbreak and despair, God wants to reconcile with his wayward people. God is willing to take a chance to offer us a way to start fresh because of His great love for us.

The story of Hosea is a sad one. God compelled him to marry a prostitute, resulting in a great deal of heartache and sadness in Josea to the point that he was ready to divorce her because he could not stand it anymore. Our text picks up in the middle of that lament, where Josea expresses another chance at the redemption of the relationship. Hosea’s story is, of course, a metaphor for God’s relationship with His people. Despite repeated heartbreak and despair, God wants to reconcile with his wayward people. God is willing to take a chance to offer us a way to start fresh because of His great love for us.

Our text is commonly called the beatitudes. It is Jesus laying out the foundation for the kingdom of God. The word beatitude has its root in happiness, but not happiness as the world knows it. Often our worldly happiness is tied to circumstances, so the better definition of beatitude is joy. There is joy in living for God. The psalmist talks about the man who meditates on the word of the Lord is like a tree planted by a river. That tree does not worry about what is going on on the surface because it has roots that go down deep and tap into the moisture of the river. So Jesus is talking about blessing and joy available to one who has put down roots in the word of God.

Our text is commonly called the beatitudes. It is Jesus laying out the foundation for the kingdom of God. The word beatitude has its root in happiness, but not happiness as the world knows it. Often our worldly happiness is tied to circumstances, so the better definition of beatitude is joy. There is joy in living for God. The psalmist talks about the man who meditates on the word of the Lord is like a tree planted by a river. That tree does not worry about what is going on on the surface because it has roots that go down deep and tap into the moisture of the river. So Jesus is talking about blessing and joy available to one who has put down roots in the word of God.

Our text is commonly called the beatitudes. It is Jesus laying out the foundation for the kingdom of God. The word beatitude has its root in happiness, but not happiness as the world knows it. Often our worldly happiness is tied to circumstances, so the better definition of beatitude is joy. There is joy in living for God. The psalmist talks about the man who meditates on the word of the Lord is like a tree planted by a river. That tree does not worry about what is going on on the surface because it has roots that go down deep and tap into the moisture of the river. So Jesus is talking about blessing and joy available to one who has put down roots in the word of God.

In our text, we read about 26,000 men from the tribe of Benjamin, plus an additional 700 men who were left-handed and could use a sling with great accuracy. We know from one of the most famous stories in the bible that the sling could be deadly accurate against a giant. Still, the sling is often regarded as insufficient in the face of battle. A sling is not as intimidating as a sword, but as Goliath found out, it can be very dangerous in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. Too often, we look at the enemy coming toward us the same way that Goliath looked at David, and, like Goliath, we quickly find out that that small foe with an insignificant weapon can be our undoing. We must be on our guard against an enemy with a weapon that uses little things with great effectiveness.

Being left-handed is not the interesting part of this story, nor is it the most significant thing they used a sling. The interesting thing is that the bible says they could not miss. They had perfected their skills to the point that they could not miss. Now Israel had to deal with advisories coming from a different direction, with a weapon that was effective from a distance AND that could not miss.

Our enemy is accurate and cannot miss, and we cannot downplay the things he is using against us. Like Israel, we must be on guard against these unconventional attacks, and we cannot miss an opportunity to defend ourselves and prepare for battle.

In our text, we read about 26,000 men from the tribe of Benjamin, plus an additional 700 men who were left-handed and could use a sling with great accuracy. We know from one of the most famous stories in the bible that the sling could be deadly accurate against a giant. Still, the sling is often regarded as insufficient in the face of battle. A sling is not as intimidating as a sword, but as Goliath found out, it can be very dangerous in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. Too often, we look at the enemy coming toward us the same way that Goliath looked at David, and, like Goliath, we quickly find out that that small foe with an insignificant weapon can be our undoing. We must be on our guard against an enemy with a weapon that uses little things with great effectiveness.

Being left-handed is not the interesting part of this story, nor is it the most significant thing they used a sling. The interesting thing is that the bible says they could not miss. They had perfected their skills to the point that they could not miss. Now Israel had to deal with advisories coming from a different direction, with a weapon that was effective from a distance AND that could not miss.

Our enemy is accurate and cannot miss, and we cannot downplay the things he is using against us. Like Israel, we must be on guard against these unconventional attacks, and we cannot miss an opportunity to defend ourselves and prepare for battle.

In our text, we read about 26,000 men from the tribe of Benjamin, plus an additional 700 men who were left-handed and could use a sling with great accuracy. We know from one of the most famous stories in the bible that the sling could be deadly accurate against a giant. Still, the sling is often regarded as insufficient in the face of battle. A sling is not as intimidating as a sword, but as Goliath found out, it can be very dangerous in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. Too often, we look at the enemy coming toward us the same way that Goliath looked at David, and, like Goliath, we quickly find out that that small foe with an insignificant weapon can be our undoing. We must be on our guard against an enemy with a weapon that uses little things with great effectiveness.

Being left-handed is not the interesting part of this story, nor is it the most significant thing they used a sling. The interesting thing is that the bible says they could not miss. They had perfected their skills to the point that they could not miss. Now Israel had to deal with advisories coming from a different direction, with a weapon that was effective from a distance AND that could not miss.

Our enemy is accurate and cannot miss, and we cannot downplay the things he is using against us. Like Israel, we must be on guard against these unconventional attacks, and we cannot miss an opportunity to defend ourselves and prepare for battle.

From the time of Moses, God had appointed judges over his people to deal with disagreements. At various times the people had disputes with these judges and wanted new ones. Our text represents a change in that system because, this time, the dissatisfied people wanted a King to rule over them. There is a danger in dissatisfaction, and there is always a cost with it. Brother Stevision talks about these costs and their effect on our lives.

From the time of Moses, God had appointed judges over his people to deal with disagreements. At various times the people had disputes with these judges and wanted new ones. Our text represents a change in that system because, this time, the dissatisfied people wanted a King to rule over them. There is a danger in dissatisfaction, and there is always a cost with it. Brother Stevision talks about these costs and their effect on our lives.