Category Archives: conflict

non-stop

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Nehemiah 6 Nehemiah speaks here of numerous attempts to make him afraid.  The non-Israelite leaders of the land were themselves afraid that God would empower Nehemiah to lead a rebellion.  They also feared the policy against intermarriage which had been … Continue reading →

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working in spite of challenges

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Nehemiah 4 It was not easy doing the right thing.  The builders had every reason to abandon the mission, and every enticement to return to the way things were.  The threat of attack reduced by half the amount of people … Continue reading →

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lying among the sheepfolds

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 68 This psalm celebrates God’s protection and provision for his people, including the great battles he won for them.  The point is that it was God’s greatness, not the overwhelming might of Israel’s armies that won the battles.  Mention … Continue reading →

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fighting for the right reason

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 60 Why are we fighting our battles?  Is it for self-preservation?  Wrong answer.  We fight our battles because the territory we fight for belongs to our God.  He owns not only our own lives, but also the lives of … Continue reading →

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joy and quiet

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

2 Chronicles 23 Athalia is executed by the people, and Joash is made king.  The temple of Baal is destroyed, and the people once again devote themselves to the LORD alone.  The chronicler records two results to this turn of … Continue reading →

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the ender of wars

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 46 This psalm is especially suited to sing during times of international strife and global war.  It speaks of the nations raging against one another, and kingdoms tottering. During times like these, it is good to look to the … Continue reading →

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betrayed

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 35 David feels betrayed.  The very friends that he remembers praying and fasting for are now attacking him, and relishing in his troubles.  He can only appeal to the righteous judge of all the earth.  There are some things … Continue reading →

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incomplete victory

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

2 Kings 3 The combined armies of Israel, Judah and Edom accomplish all that Elisha predicts, but stops short of eliminating Moab altogether. It appears that the Moabite king’s sacrifice of his oldest son changes things.  We must be careful … Continue reading →

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adversaries

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Kings 11 In spite of his great wisdom and riches, Solomon did not stay true to the Davidic covenant.  He brought in foreign wives, and capitulated to their idolatry, building places of worship for such despicable deities as Chemosh … Continue reading →

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the human tragedy of warfare

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

2 Samuel 10 Hanun’s war was a major mistake.  The tragedy is that people still die in wars like that.  Sometimes good people die because of human stupidity.  Someday the Lord will come back and put an end to those … Continue reading →

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