Covenant Confrontation Text: 1 Samuel 12 Rev. John Downs Today’s text chronicles a ceremony of covenant renewal of God with his people.  It comes at an inflection point in the history of Israel as they transition from the era of … February 25, 2024 Read More »

Salvation Out Of Shame Text: 1 Samuel 11 Rev. John Downs In the history of Israel, place carried a sense of significance, whether Gibeah, Jabesh-gilead or Gilgal.  So, too, in the life of faith in Christ, we are reminded of … February 18, 2024 Read More »

Divine Clarity Text: 1 Samuel 10:17-27 Rev. John Downs The remaining vestiges of sin cloud our vision and judgment, like swimming in murky water.  But our God brings his people clarity and vision.  Like the people of Israel, we are … February 11, 2024 Read More »

Directing and Equipping Text: 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16 Rev. John Downs We often fail to look at the big picture of life, instead being gripped by the vortex of the immediate.  That can lead to disillusionment, despair or bitterness.  Today’s text … February 4, 2024 Read More »

Rejection Redeemed Text: 1 Samuel 8 Rev. John Downs Just as Israel rejected God’s kingship over them, so we too are prone to reject his rule and his wisdom in our lives.  We prefer to have things our way, in … January 28, 2024 Read More »

Revival Through Repentance Text: 1 Samuel 7:2-17 Rev. John Downs How does revival take place when there are no signs of life?  After the return of the ark from the Philistines, Israel languished in syncretistic idol worship for twenty years, … January 21, 2024 Read More »

The Heavy Hand of a Holy God Text: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:2 Rev. John Downs In the story of the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines, we come to understand that the whole earth belongs to God … January 14, 2024 Read More »

Glory Presumed and Departed Text: 1 Samuel 4:1b-22 Rev. John Downs Today’s passage treats the end of the era of Eli and his wicked sons, accompanied by the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines in a … January 7, 2024 Read More »

Light Into Darkness Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1a Rev. John Downs At first glance, you might not think that today’s text relates to Christmas or our present time but, on closer examination, it truly does.  During the time of the Judges … December 24, 2023 Read More »

Of Sons, Rebuke, and Grace Text: 1 Samuel 2:11-36 Rev. John Downs The contrast between the waning priesthood of Eli and the waxing priesthood of Samuel shows us that it’s possible to be familiar with the word of God but … December 17, 2023 Read More »