Next in our "History Lessons mini-series, Pastor Tim covers the book of II Samuel. The book begins with the death of Saul and David finally taking the place of King over Israel. Nevertheless, the instability of God's nation continues, as it becomes apparent that a human king will never be the perfect king. Even so, the failures of Israel's kings lay the framework for the coming eternal king: King Jesus. He alone can usher in peace and stability.

Caleb Poirier recounts his story of how he saw God use every encounter in his life to create a need that only He could answer. He recounts how God used all kinds of people -- Christian parents, fellow missionaries, and two high-school teachers who took time to invest -- to demonstrate what a godly life looks like.

But to make this faith and these values his own, it took investing a community, spending two years alone on the road working on turbines, a 2 am custodial shift, and a broken engagement. In all this, God was faithful, and He "can be trusted to work all things out for His glory."

Continuing our "History Lessons" mini-series, Pastor Tim preaches on the book of I Samuel. It tells the story of Israel’s transition from the period of the judges to the beginning of the monarchy. The nation is spiritually and politically unstable, its leadership is weak, and the people eventually demand a king so they can be “like all the nations.” Although God had always intended for Israel to have a king, their request revealed a deeper problem: they were rejecting God’s rule and placing their hope for security, stability, and success in a human leader.

Through the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David, 1 Samuel reminds us that human leaders will always fall short and that our deepest need is not for greater power, security, success, or control, but for God Himself. The book exposes our tendency to look elsewhere for what only God can provide and ultimately points us forward to Jesus, the true and perfect King.