Try to find a sermon or bible study on this passage. Google it! You will find it almost impossible. Nobody wants to preach it simply because the harsh brutality of those times is reflected once again. The consequences and defeat are final. A city is destroyed and a whole people annihilated by the Israelites. Once again for some of you, this offends your modern sensibilities. But you shouldn’t be surprised. We live in brutal times.
Read More difficulties, brutality, presence, promise
This reading includes two of Scripture’s great passages: Mary’s simple statement of obedience. “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it happen as you have said,” and then, shortly later, her great song of praise.
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How do we persist in telling others about Jesus despite the difficulties we face in ministry? This is an uncomfortable question in our culture which does all it can to deny pain and find happiness in everything. To some, experiencing difficulty can appear feeble or pathetic.
Read More endurance, difficulties, discipline, perseverance