“The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” (Proverbs 18:8 ESV). In this proverb, Solomon observed the destructive appeal of gossip. He described the words of a whisperer—someone who spreads secrets or slander—as “delicious morsels.” These words were not just heard and dismissed; they
Chapter: 18
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
“And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.” (2 Kings 18:3 ESV). After a long succession of mostly wicked kings, Hezekiah emerged as a striking exception. The biblical writer described him in glowing terms, noting that he did what was right in
TWO RACES WITH NEWS OF TWO SONS
“Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.” (2 Samuel 18:23 ESV). “Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.” (John 20:4 ESV). In both the Old and New Testament readings today, men ran a race with urgent news tied to
JESUS STEPPED FORWARD
“Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, ‘Whom do you seek?’”(John 18:4 ESV). This moment in John 18 is stunning in its clarity and courage. Jesus is not caught off guard. He knows exactly what is about to unfold—the betrayal, the arrest, the denial, the trials, the
THE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES SEEN IN DAVID AND SAUL
“And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.” (1 Samuel 18:5 ESV). David was an obedient and enthusiastic servant of King Saul. God
ON THE THIRD DAY HE WILL RISE
“For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise” (Luke 18:32–33 ESV). As Jesus draws near to Jerusalem, He tells His disciples what will soon take place. He speaks
ARE YOU PERSISTENT IN PRAYER?
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 ESV). Before Jesus even begins the parable of the persistent widow, Luke tells us His purpose for telling it. Jesus wanted His disciples to know the importance of prayer, especially in times of delay
CHOSEN TO LEAD YOUR FAMILY TO KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD
“For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him” (Genesis 18:19 ESV). The Lord chose Abraham and gave him a calling to “command”
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT OUR SIN PROBLEM?
“Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4 ESV). God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel, rebuking the people of Israel for accusing Him of injustice and reminding them that He was both owner and judge
HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD
“Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand” (Jeremiah 18:6 ESV). The Lord told Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house and there He would speak to him. Jeremiah obeyed and as he watched the potter at his wheel, he saw that the vessel he was making was