Another Soldier Down

DEBORAH’S SONG

(October 10, 2024) Brian Bell shares encouragely—

It was August 2024 when I last shared some thoughts about Deborah the prophetess who became a judge in Israel. By way of context, and to briefly refresh the background—

Following their entrance into the promised land the children of Israel began to take possession and subdue the occupants, but this proved difficult. In addition, the people of Israel also went through ongoing cycles of sinful disobedience to the Lord. Despite this when they cried out to God for help, He raised up a series of people to be their leaders who were known as judges of which Deborah was one.

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DEFEATING LIFE’S GIANTS

(March 28, 2023) Brian Bell shares a timely meditation…

David’s encounter with the giant Goliath is recorded in 1 Samuel 17 and must surely be one of the most well-known scriptural records.

Many of us have profited from the life of David and his experience of the Lord and we are familiar with his many encouraging psalms. In revisiting this topic, I offer some thoughts which, while they may not be new, I personally found them beneficial.

A defiant giant  
The scriptural record in 1 Samuel tells us about Goliath’s defiance of God and also of David who alone came to face him. I see Goliath as a type of spiritual opposition – which is still prevalent today! Even manifested through actual people who may say harsh, unkind, even untrue words to us or about us, just as Goliath did with David.

The apostle Paul tells us we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 6:12). This tells me ‘flesh and blood’ people are used to be defiant against the Lord’s work, the Lord’s word and the Lord’s people.

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