Split by Flames of Fire 

The awesome presence and power of God in strong weather moves David in this psalm. You might ask yourself, “If God already possesses glory and strength, what does it mean for us to give God these attributes?”

The answer lies in the intimacy between God and creature. God receives expressions of glory and strength through God’s people. The creature participates not only in receiving the Creator’s life and its power, but also in returning it to God through worship and offering of self.

Jewish people pray this psalm on the festival of Pentecost. Likely, St. Luke had this psalm in mind and this Jewish celebration when he describes the coming of the Holy Spirit in the image of today’s verse.

An earthquake can split great cedars down the middle. The images of the psalm will split your heart apart by flames of inner fire.

Psalm 29

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: You bless Your people with peace v. 11

We continue to follow the Psalms in numerical order.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

A Shift in God’s Plan 

Samuel recedes to the background while the exploits of Saul and Jonathan against the enemies of God’s people come to the fore. The rash oath that Saul inflicts upon his people and his hoarding of the spoils of war instead of dedicating them to the Lord, prompts God to intervene again in the night to Samuel. Contrasted with the first nightly visit of the Lord to Samuel as a boy, this encounter brings anguish to the heart of Samuel and to God; God repents of having chosen Saul to be King. Listen in on the words of Samuel to Saul in 15:22–23; they are addressed to you and to me.

As the peace that comes out after a hurricane, so is chapter 16 with the beginning of the story of David. Samuel must have found some of that early joy as a boy return, as he sees God doing something similar to David as was done to him many years before. Return in prayer to the times when God spoke to your heart when you were a child.

1 Samuel 14—16

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: May Your Spirit rush on me. 16:13

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Proverbs 13 and 14 and 1 Samuel.

 

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information