Heart of a Shepherd Ministry
Daily Devotional Meditations and a Biblical Perspective on Current Events
A Study Through Judges
“Reject God’s Law, and Man Becomes a Law unto Himself” (Judges 21)
Scripture reading – Judges 21 Today’s Scripture concludes our study in the Book of Judges. The era known as the “Judges” began with the death of Joshua (Judges 1) and finished with the death of Samson (Judges 16). Judges 21 concluded the time when judges ruled in...
Moral Degeneracy and Its Effects on A People (Judges 20)
Scripture reading - Judges 20 This devotion comprises the second part of today’s Scripture reading (Judges 19-20). We find that Levite’s brutal actions (cutting his concubine's battered, lifeless body into twelve pieces and sending them to the tribes) had the desired...
“Lawlessness Breeds Moral Degeneracy” (Judges 19)
Scripture reading - Judges 19-20 * The following is the first of two daily devotions for today. “It came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel” (Judges 19:1). Consider the question, “When was there no king [literally, no ruler or judge] in Israel?”...
There Was No King, No Ruler, And No Judge in Israel. (Judges 18)
Scripture reading - Judges 18 Judges 18 opened with an observation that will be repeated in the book's last chapters. We read, “In those days there was no king in Israel” (Judges 18:1; note also Judges 17:6, Judges 19:1, and Judges 21:25). In a very literal sense,...
Samson and Delilah (Judges 16; Judges 17)
Scripture reading – Judges 16-17 Today’s study in the Book of Judges brings us to an event in the life of Samson that is as dramatic as it is tragic. Samson’s super-strength exploits, his infatuation with Delilah, her betrayal, and the tragic finale of his life have...
Samson: The Man and the Legend (Judges 13)
Click on this link for translations of today's devotion. Scripture reading - Judges 13 Today’s Scripture brings us to the cycle we have observed throughout our study in the Book of Judges: Sin leading to Servitude, resulting in Sorrow, and then to Salvation...
A Harlot’s Son Becomes a Hero and Trophy of God’s Grace (Judges 11; Judges 12)
Click on this link for translations of today's devotion. Scripture reading - Judges 11-12 Our ongoing chronological study of the Book of Judges brings us to Judges 11-12, as Judges 10 concluded with Israel turning to the LORD. Repenting of their sins, the people had...
A Broken Covenant and a Path to Forgiveness (Judges 9; Judges 10)
Click on this link for translations of today's devotion. Scripture reading - Judges 9-10 Though he reigned for forty years (Judges 8:28), the last years of Gideon’s rule as the judge of Israel left the people ill-prepared for the events that followed his death (Judges...
Gideon: Mighty Man of Valor (Judges 6; Judges 7)
Click on this link for translations of today's devotion. Scripture reading - Judges 6-7 Judges 6 introduces us to Gideon, one of my favorite characters in the Book of Judges. Judges 6 The Intrusion of Midian and the Calamity of Israel (Judges 6:1-6) Judges 5 concluded...
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A Stingy Soul and A Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 11; Proverbs 12)
Scripture reading - Proverbs 11; Proverbs 12 Click on this link for translations of today's Bible study. We continue our chronological study of the Scriptures in search of “Uncommon Common Sense” in the Book of Proverbs. While time and space limit the scope of...
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Sleepless Nights? I’ve Got the Answer! (Psalm 148; Psalm 149)
Scripture reading – Psalm 148; Psalm 149 Click on this link for translations of this Bible study. We are nearing the end of our chronological study of the Book of Psalms. Today’s Scripture reading consists of two Psalms (Psalm 148 and 149). Both psalms follow the...
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Sleepless Nights? I’ve Got the Answer! (Psalm 148; Psalm 149)
Scripture reading – Psalm 148; Psalm 149 Click on this link for translations of this Bible study. We are nearing the end of our chronological study of the Book of Psalms. Today’s Scripture reading consists of two Psalms (Psalm 148 and 149). Both psalms follow the...