Daily Devotional

September 26, 2017

“And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.” (1 Samuel 5:7)

After an introductory period as a substitute bus driver, I was given my first regular school bus route — the notorious Route B-18. My initiation to the hazards of this route was not long in coming. One evening, a...

September 25, 2017

“And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.” (1 Samuel 4:3) 

A while back, my mother gave me a letter she had copied more than fifty years...

September 24, 2017

“And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

My two youngest daughters enjoy using the computer to talk online with their friends. Whenever a call comes on our phone line and my daughters are using the Internet, the name and number of who is calling pops up on the computer screen. They have the choice at this time to accept...

September 23, 2017

“And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.” (1 Samuel 2:26)

The mighty oak tree stands tall as an example of strength and endurance. Few trees have a greater geographical range than the oak; its nearly 300 species grow all across Europe and northern America. The oak may reach heights of sixty to one hundred feet, and acquire a diameter of eight to ten feet. 

However, the single...

September 22, 2017

“And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.” (1 Samuel 1:18)

During World War II, a dreaded message came to my mother-in-law — her son was missing in action! Later they would learn he was actually a prisoner of war. My father-in-law immediately thought the very worst — George would never come home! The family remembers, however,...

September 21, 2017

“And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.” (Ruth 4:14)

Some years ago, while spending time with some close friends, I heard the father ask his teenage daughter a question before she left with friends for the evening. “What is your name?” She dutifully responded with a wide smile and the word “Olson,” which was their...

September 20, 2017

“Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?” (Ruth 3:1)

All people desire rest for their souls. Many years ago, a young girl from a troubled home was longing for such rest. Then she heard about a camp meeting being held in a large tent. She said, “The minute I entered, I felt a calm come over me.” At...

September 19, 2017

“The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (Ruth 2:12)

A young woman (also named Ruth) faced a choice. She had been saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Spirit, but she knew that God wanted her to consecrate more. She said, “I was afraid if I completely surrendered my life to the Lord, my own plans might never...

September 18, 2017

“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)

Great wails accompanied my youngest daughter’s insistent clinging as I attempted to leave her at a friend’s house so I could spend a couple of hours doing some...

September 17, 2017

“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

Sometimes it takes simple honesty to recognize that our choices are from selfish motives. I remember when my wife wanted an automobile of her own. Our children were older, and she felt it was time for her to have more mobility and freedom. 

Since my wife didn’t know a great deal about automobiles, I decided...