1 Samuel 17:38-18:30 ; Psalm 68:1-6 ; John 16:5-17:5 "Eric's Feet" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper In 1 Samuel 17:38-18:30, we read that “Saul dressed David in his own tunic, armor, and helmet” but after “trying to walk around in them,” David said, “I cannot go in these, because I am not used to them” (verses 38-39). Here, we have a picture of the believer attempting to operate in the attire and under the cover and influence of an unbelieving world

1 Samuel 16:1-17:37 ; Psalm 67 ; John 15:1-16:4 "779 Luis Pasteur" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper In 1 Samuel 16-17:37, we read, “The LORD said to Samuel, ‘how long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him? … Fill your horn with oil and be on your way’” (verse 1). Yesterday, we saw that God rejected Saul as king, and now He is going to select a new man – one after His own heart – David. In his probationary period as king, Saul failed. Go

1 Samuel 14:24-15:35 ; Proverbs 12:28-13:9 ; John 14 "Dutch Windmills" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink Sketch on Paper Today in our readings we come to 1 Samuel 14:24-15:35. Here, we read the incredible tragedy of King Saul, who for me, is enigmatic. Yesterday, we read about the absurd curse under which Saul “bound the people on oath, saying ‘cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes – before I have avenged myself on my enemies!’” (verse 24). We are

1 Samuel 13:1–14:23 ; Psalm 66:13-20 ; John 13:18-38 "Winter Tree Through My Window" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink Sketch on Paper In 1 Samuel 13:1-14:23, we see that Saul – thirty years old – now begins his reign over Israel. He reigned for forty-two years (verse 1). “Saul prepared an army; Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba; and the Philistines assembled to fight Israel” (verses 2-5). The Israelites “saw that their situation was critical … th

1 Samuel 10:9-12:25 ; Psalm 66:1-12 ; John 12:37-13:17 "Attraction of Opposites" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper Yesterday, in our readings from 1 Samuel, the last thing Samuel said to Saul was – “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do” (verse 8). Today, in 1 Samuel 10:9-12:25, we see God’s

1 Samuel 8:1-10:8 ; Psalm 65 ; John 12:12-36 "Forest Set for Pilgrim's Progress " © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Plaster In 1 Samuel 8:1-10:8, we read that “when Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel … but his sons did not walk in his ways … they turned aside after dishonest gain, accepted bribes, and perverted justice” (verse 1-3). Here, we learn that God’s servants must exercise incredible leadership in teaching their own children how

1 Samuel 5-7 ; Proverbs 12:18-27 ; John 11:45-12:11 "General Johnston" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Yesterday we stated that the Ark of God had no business in Philistia. As we come to 1 Samuel 5, we see that, after capturing it, the Philistines carried it to Ashdod – one of the five cities of the Philistines (cf., 1 Samuel 6:17). They placed the Ark in the temple of Dagon next to their statue (i.e., idol) of Dagon. Like all idols that man fash