Men of ability flocked to David, especially when the elders of Israel anointed him king. Who would not want to throw in with such a leader? One group included David’s mighty warriors, who gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised.

One of the mightiest was Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a leader among the most powerful warriors. Ishmaiah grew up in the town of Gibeon, in the territory of Benjamin.

Do you remember when the Gibeonites deceived Joshua? They disguised themselves as weary travelers from a far land and made a binding covenant with Israel. Cunning people, yet possessing a certain faith in the Lord as they knew with certainty God would follow through on his promises to Moses.

Joshua let the Gibeonites live, but forced them serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the alter of the Lord. Then one descendent developed into a warrior and leader of renown—Ishmaiah.

We don’t actually know if Ishmaiah descended from the Gibeonites who fooled Joshua, or just grew up in the city of their name. However, as the Gibeonites assimilated into the society around them and faithfully served the alter, nothing kept them from joining David in this time of national upheaval.

It wouldn’t surprise me to know the Lord elevated the son of servers to a leadership position in a powerful military. David was the least among his brothers, and Ishmaiah from the least of communities. In the Lord’s economy, starting out among the least doesn’t matter. It’s who you throw in with along the way that makes the difference.

I Chronicles 12 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Simone Pellegrini

Life comes in fits and spurts. Often way too busy, and when activity finally slows I start thinking about the next busy stretch. I need to force myself to take a few minutes to pause and consider the Lord’s actions in my life.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

The psalmist wrote this line while reflecting on the history of Israel, how the people who once followed the Lord forgot the God who saved them. The Lord brought multiple calamities, but also continued to show mercy. Throughout the upheavals, the writer recognized the goodness of God.

How has God been good to you?

I sit typing in a warm house on a chilly Colorado morning, coffee close at hand—goodness from the Lord. I enjoy my wife and our children and their spouses and now a new granddaughter. Those relationships reflect God’s goodness that I don’t deserve, yet savor every day.

Wonderful extended family members, faithful friends, a certain amount of security, decent health, and a job allowing me to travel to fascinating places point to the Lord’s goodness. For all this and much more I give thanks. I could fill several pages going into depth. Perhaps I should.

How has God been good to you?

Pause and reflect, then give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 106 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Nathan Dumlao

There Goes The Neighborhood.

So reads the tombstone of Rodney Dangerfield, the comedian who made a living poking fun at himself and everyone else. Consistent to the end.

How would you like to be remembered?

Certainly not like King Saul. Wounded and facing death in battle, Saul took his own life. The chronicler wrote: Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned his kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Dead, gone, his legacy erased—tough ending for Saul. Although he started strong, Saul veered from the ways of the Lord and never returned—that’s the tragedy his life represents.

As sinful humans we all veer, but the refusal to turn back to the Lord leads ultimately to disaster. Life gets long, and we make plenty of wrong choices. Remember God welcomes us back when we approach him once again in repentance and humility.

A better epitaph would have read A Man Who Turned Back To The Lord. Too late for Saul—not too late for you and me.

1 Chronicles 10 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Alan Light

A number of parents hold off giving their babies sugary food until the child’s first birthday. Then they produce a chocolate cake for the big reveal. After a fistful or two eyes light up. Welcome to the wonderful world of sugar! Like the rest of us, the kid will never be the same.

A turn to Jesus often produces a similar hit. A great many people joined the Christian movement in Ephesus. Miracles took place alongside the preaching of Paul, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

Dramatic changes took place, including the repudiation of past lifestyles and practices: Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly.

Burning scrolls out in the open cost these new converts financially—estimates of their value in today’s dollars run into the millions. This fresh faith also carried a social price tag, as friends and family watched the growing bonfire. But the gain of new life in Christ far overwhelmed enslavement to the fear-based religions practiced before.

When people come to Jesus expect a change. Don’t slow them down or temper their enthusiasm. If a new believer feels led to burn past possessions that kept them from the Lord, then hand them a match. In fact, the light of their conversion helps us evaluate things dampening our own eagerness to follow the Lord.

Acts 19 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Wes Hicks