Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
When the prophet Elijah learned that the people had abandoned God’s instruction and were following other gods, he called a meeting at Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” Elijah called together the prophets of Baal and challenged them to a duel.
Perpetua was a 26-year-old mother with a nursing baby when she was imprisoned for refusing to bow before idols. Despite her father appearing with the infant in his arms and pleading for her to sacrifice to idols, she refused. “Are you a Christian?” the judge asked. “I am a Christian,” was her answer. Perpetua was ordered to be killed by wild beasts.
When we place our trust and confidence in people, sooner or later, we will be left alone and disillusioned. When we seek satisfaction in material things, our hearts will be unfulfilled. When we worship money, we run after a god who only provides fleeting happiness. False gods always leave us abandoned and empty.
God never makes a mistake, never needs a mulligan, and never asks for a do-over. His instruction is perfect, and his plans for you are flawless. Our confidence comes from knowing God shields us; he is our refuge.
The giant was nine feet tall! His name was Goliath. Day after day, he challenged the Israelite army to a one-on-one battle, winner-takes-all. After forty days, no one had stepped forward. The soldiers were overtaken with fear.
King Saul was in trouble. He was outnumbered by the Philistine army, who held the high ground, so he froze. He and his men took their position under a pomegranate tree. There he waited … and waited … and waited … but his son, Jonathan, couldn’t wait any longer.