The Amalekites were a persistently wicked people. They were the first people who tried to stop Israel from entering into the promised land, which meant they were directly opposed to God’s upper story plan. However, God will accomplish His plan and He wanted Saul to eliminate the Amalekites completely. Because of Saul’s disobedience 400 of them survived. Today we meet one of their descendants, Haman. Looking back on history and the Jews attempted elimination of his people, it is not hard to understand the underlying grudge Haman had against the Jews.

For seventy years God’s people have found themselves in exile in the lands of Babylon and Persia. Through their exile God has not forgotten about them. Having a relationship with mankind has always been His goal and now after a time of separation God is ready to once again take up residence amongst His people. How will the remnant of two small tribes fair against the opposition all around them? How does their lower story relate to our own lower story? How does all that relate to God’s upper story in our own lives? Today, we find out!

The final days are now upon Judah. They experienced the rise and fall of both good and bad kings. However, the disobedience to God has become too much. Because of His righteous grace the time has come for God to discipline his children in Judah. The pain and the heartbreak are gut wrenching to read about. While the Lower Story is beginning to look bleak, we are reminded that God is still in control and God is still working out His Upper Story pursuit of restoring relationship with humankind.

Ever since the Garden of Eden we have been following God’s Upper Story. God wants us to be a part of His community by putting Him first in our lives. But in the Lower Story we have seen the people reject God, resulting in a divided nation. Still God patiently waits for them to come to their senses and return to Him, but they ignore His commands and the prophets He sends to them. It is now time for God to act. And He does so, decisively, according to His words of warning.

Ever since the Garden of Eden we have been following God’s Upper Story. God wants us to be a part of His community by putting Him first in our lives. But in the Lower Story we have seen the people reject God, resulting in a divided nation. Still God patiently waits for them to come to their senses and return to Him, but they ignore His commands and the prophets He sends to them. It is now time for God to act. And He does so, decisively, according to His words of warning.

In God’s Upper Story goal of doing life with us, He was very patient with Israel in their Lower Story lives. For over two centuries through the reign of 19 kings, God kept sending His messengers, the prophets. These men were faithful and passionate in their delivering God’s message and warnings to His people. God’s call for His people to come home was often ignored. Finally God said “enough” and divided the nation of Israel into two nations. Now He would work through the Southern Kingdom of Judah to accomplish His plan of a restored relationship with humanity.

In God’s Upper Story goal of doing life with us, He was very patient with Israel in their Lower Story lives. For over two centuries through the reign of 19 kings, God kept sending His messengers, the prophets. These men were faithful and passionate in their delivering God’s message and warnings to His people. God’s call for His people to come home was often ignored. Finally God said “enough” and divided the nation of Israel into two nations. Now He would work through the Southern Kingdom of Judah to accomplish His plan of a restored relationship with humanity.

After Solomon’s reign it seems like the nation of Israel is set up for success. Sadly we know that the mighty often fall hard. It is heartbreaking to watch a nation so grand and magnificent be destroyed because of Solomon’s sin decisions. Maybe you have seen decisions in your life cause all sorts of consequences. Fortunately, like The Story, God is never done pursuing his Upper Story plans for our lives. No matter what you have done or where you have come from, God loves you and offers you hope!

Our role in our Lower Story is to point people to God by the way we live and speak. We are to live each day with the notion that we are to be Jesus to the people around us. Since none of us are perfect, this includes how we handle life when we sin. The world is watching. What do you do when you sin terribly and tragically? What can we learn from David’s example of how he handled the sin in his life? How can God use us in the Lower Story, when we sin, to accomplish His Upper Story goal of doing life with us?

Our role in our Lower Story is to point people to God by the way we live and speak. We are to live each day with the notion that we are to be Jesus to the people around us. Since none of us are perfect, this includes how we handle life when we sin. The world is watching. What do you do when you sin terribly and tragically? What can we learn from David’s example of how he handled the sin in his life? How can God use us in the Lower Story, when we sin, to accomplish His Upper Story goal of doing life with us?