Joab’s rebuke: How to hear unwelcome truths
2 Sam 19:1-8 During an outreach in my twenties, I was in a team with a young Christian who was a bit of a know-it-all. He was forever correcting others on their theological views and generally giving the impression that…
Healing the tension between our public and private lives
2 Sam 18:19-33 Some years ago, the mayor of a New Zealand city had an extramarital affair, which got into the media. The distraught family members asked for privacy, and one can readily understand their concerns. However, they behaved as…
Absalom hangs in a tree: The root cause of destruction
2 Sam 18:1-18 A Christian leader I know about grew up in a faithful Christian family and became a gifted interpreter of the Bible, which was a great blessing for many. As the years went by, however, things began to…
David crosses the Jordan: The surprising nature of God’s support
2 Sam 17:15-29 During my long years of theological study, I often did not know where the next year’s funds would come from. I received some grants or scholarships along the way and was supported by church or friends for…
Hushai’s advice: How God works to achieve His purposes
2 Sam 17:1-14 Back in 1950s Hungary, my father was barred from entering university for political reasons. Every year for 15 years, Dad sat the entrance exam, but was rejected at the oral interview, which assessed a candidate’s ‘political reliability’.…
Hairline cracks in Absalom’s power: evil is not invincible
2 Sam 16:15-23 Long before Communism fell in Hungary, my Dad used to say that a corrupt government built on oppression and lies cannot stand forever. He was convinced that eventually the regime would fall and spent his life preparing…
The secret of living life well (Psalm 8)
Ps 8:1-9 The beginning of the year is the time for making New Year’s resolutions but unless we reflect on the deeper causes for what we want to change and why, we are likely to repeat the same mistakes and…
God’s Word will never fail (Luke 1:37)
Luke 1:26-38 I was recently contacted by a former classmate of mine from secondary school who was organising a class reunion and consulting with everyone about possible dates. Given that about a third or more of us live abroad, it…
Preparing for the coming of the Lord
Luke 1:16-17; Isa 40:3-5 I love the Christmas season with its wonderful decorations, music and food and enjoy the different aspects of preparation from putting the Christmas tree up to baking mince pies while singing along to carols. Yet for…
Trust in the overruling power of God (2 Sam 16:1-14)
2 Sam 16:1-14 Before I went to study at Bible college/seminary, I told a Christian colleague about it in confidence. However, I soon found out that he went straight to my boss with the information because the latter called me…