Walter Spires - Minutes For Men

After many years in waiting (and hiding), God's anointed one - David - finally becomes king.  We can learn a lot from how he was able to rise to that occasion.   Bible References:  2 Samuel 1 - 6

David had his chances to kill the king who tried to kill him on many occasions.  But he would not raise a hand against God's anointed.   Bible References:  1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26

Most experts agree David was 15 or younger when he took on this giant warrior because the real soldiers ran away in fear.  David could not stand that fact that anyone would mock the name of the LORD his God.   O that we would have that same courage today.   Bible References:  1 Samuel 17: 1 - 54

David the boy became King David, the man after God's own heart, because men of God invested in his life.   Bible References:  1 Samuel 16; Proverbs 22:6

David's entry into biblical HIStory is an inflection point of a sort.  We are going to dwell on his life for a while because so much parallels our own.  Yet, despite all the issues, he is the only man God ever called "a man after My own Heart" - a title we all seek.   Bible References:  1 Samuel 16:  1 - 14

All of us would be incredibly blessed to have a friend like Jonathan.  He loved David in a way Jesus taught us to love.   Bible References:  1 Samuel 13 -31 

As we examine the lives of men in the Bible, it’s important to look at their successes and failures and examine our hearts in light of those lest we fall on our own swords like King Saul. Bible References:  1 Samuel 10: 8, 13: 1-14

Can you think of any sadder words than to have God say He regrets having chosen you?  That is exactly what He said twice about having allowed Saul to become king over His people.   Bible References:  1 Samuel 8: 18; 15: 11, 35

Throughout biblical history, God was King and Lord over His chosen people.  We know He guided, protected, and provided for them always.  The people of Israel had sunk so low, they demanded that Samuel anoint a human king over them like the other nations had.   Bible References:  1 Samuel 8: 1-22

So desperate for a child, Hannah promised God she would give him back to His full time service.  That is how, Samuel, the last judge and first prophet of Israel came on the scene.  His most famous line should find its way to our lips also..."Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."  Bible References:  I Samuel 1: 9-28; 3: 1-22

While the book of Ruth is well-known as the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman, and Naomi, an older Jewish widow, it comes together when God introduces His man, Boaz, to redeem what would have otherwise been a sad ending of two poor women.  It is a picture of Christ and us.  Bible References:  Ruth 1: 1 - 4: 22

You have to be in my age bracket to remember this comical song, but I could not resist the opportunity to use that title even though it was grammatically incorrect.  During the hundreds of years after Joshua before God finally relented and gave Israel a king, He used "judges" to manage the disobedient people.  The last verse lets us know how that period went.  "... all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes "  Bible References:  Judges 3 -  21: 25 

Despite his great leadership and legacy, after Joshua went Home to be with the Lord, the Israelites fell back into idolatry and disobedience, forgetting all the LORD God had done for them.   Bible References:  Judges 2: 1-23

At the end of his incredible life as a man of God, Joshua made sure he used his waning days well.  He challenged the nation of Israel to remember all God had done for them and commit to keep their side of the covenant with God.   Bible References:  Deuteronomy 31: 23; Joshua 24: 1-28

Servant of Moses...Mighty Warrior...Fearless man of faith, humble leader.  Not much more to say about this great man of God. Bible References:  Exodus 17, 24, 33: 11;  Deuteronomy 3: 28, 31: 23 

Caleb was the first to speak out against the other ten spies.  He saw what God saw and believed Him when the others did not.  Bible References:  Numbers 13: 30; 14: 24; Joshua 14: 6-15

Moses was an amazing leader, and we can learn a lot about those skills by studying his life.  More than that, he had the closest relationship with God of any man in the Bible (not Jesus, of course).  Studying that is the greater effort.   Bible References:  Deuteronomy 34: 10-12

From Genesis 3 through the book of Revelation, we read of the anger of God for which He makes no apology.  God hates sin.  It is a good thing to focus on the love of God, but very foolish to ignore His anger.  As men of God, we must study His Word to learn what it takes to remove it.   Bible References:  Exodus 32; 1-14; Numbers 20: 1-13; Deuteronomy 32: 46-52

In my study, I found it interesting that only our Bible headings call the "ten words" or "decalogue" the Ten Commandments.  Thousands of years later, Jesus fulfilled, not destroyed, them.  Bible References:  Exodus 20; Matthew 5: 17-20

This infamous story of the twelve spies being sent to scout out the Promised Land is not recorded in Exodus - rather Numbers and Deuteronomy.  We see a clear failure of leadership as Moses listened to the ten fearful men instead of the two faithful ones.  Bible References:  Numbers 13-14; Deuteronomy 1: 19-46