The way forward when God feels absent (Psalm 42)
Ps 42:1-11 As life expectancy increases, more people encounter the effects of dementia. Seeing a loved one forget details of their lives or confuse the identity of even their nearest and dearest can feel like witnessing the slow death of…
The most fundamental question of our life
2 Kings 1:1-18 When I was learning to drive, my instructor let me try a new manoeuvre once or twice before moving on to the next thing. This felt quite unsatisfactory as I did not feel I have learnt what…
The challenge of how we respond to God’s generous grace
1 Kings 22:41-53 A former colleague once shared how an aunt raised her after my colleague’s mother died. The aunt was not an easy person, very critical of her and never satisfied with anything she did. In old age, the…
How to face the truth about ourselves
1 Kings 22:29-40 A middle-aged woman went to see a friend of mine and shared with her that her marriage was failing. She had been single for a long time and lonely, so when she met her future husband, the…
Does God ever deceive us?
1 Kings 22:13-28 What follows next in Ahab’s story with Micaiah’s appearance raises questions about the character of God. The confusing part comes in the prophet’s vision where God ostensibly puts a deceiving spirit into the mouth of the prophets…
What hinders us from hearing God right?
1 Kings 22:1-12 While doing some teaching at a Bible college with charismatic roots, I encountered people who felt God give them messages for others. One such word to me proved to be astute and a wonderful encouragement from the…
The secret of winning God’s heart
1 Kings 21:17-29 It is sometimes jokingly said of men that the way to their heart is through their stomach. Give them a good meal and they’ll love you forever! But what about God? What is the secret to winning…
Caught between worldviews and how to live for God
1 Kings 21:1-16 Increasingly in the West, religion and spirituality are treated as private that should have no bearing on our public behaviour. Yet, our vision of God and beliefs (even without faith in God) affect our identity and attitudes.…
The challenge to choose God and what hinders us
1 Kings 20:31-43 A friend’s colleague was a heavy drinker from youth, out with the lads most nights. He would take bets on whom he could drink under the table, making an accomplishment out of his addiction. At one point,…
God’s tenacious love and what we do with it
1 Kings 20:1-30 John Newton, who later wrote ‘Amazing Grace’, had a troubled childhood marked by conflict and disobedience. He renounced his faith as a young sailor, deserted the Navy and later ended up as a crew member on a…