How do you respond when things seem desperate? In this episode, we return to the book of Exodus to follow the Israelites after their escape from Exodus. You would think that, with everything they have seen from God, trusting him would be easy. When things get tough, though, there is a lot more fear than faith. It seems that, despite everything, they still do not really know their God. God has not given up, though. He still shows amazing grace, saves his people again and again, and even reveals himself to someone quite unexpected. Join Dave as he explores Exodus 15-18, and enjoy knowing the true and living God.

Find out more about Dave and the show at faithfulgod.net.

Show your thanks and support for Dave and help other people hear Stories of a Faithful God by signing up for the monthly prayer letter and by becoming a regular financial supporter here.

To ask a question, make a comment, give encouragement or invite Dave to speak, you can make contact here.

If you have or know kids, be sure to check out Dave's other podcast, Stories of a Faithful God for Kids.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Mentioned in this episode:

An Arrival to Celebrate

To purchase great Advent devotions that the whole family will enjoy, follow this link - https://youthworksmedia.net/collections/christmas/products/an-arrival-to-celebrate

Andy Martin and Priscilla Colgan invite listeners to consider supporting Dave's podcasting ministry, which focuses on sharing stories of a faithful God, especially for children. They emphasize the unique and beneficial nature of Dave's podcasts, which not only delve into scripture but also present it in an engaging and relatable manner. Both Andy and Priscilla reflect on their personal experiences with Dave's ministry, highlighting how impactful it has been for their families and their own spiritual journeys. They passionately argue that contributing to this ministry is not just an act of generosity, but a way to ensure that these valuable teachings remain accessible to a global audience. Ultimately, they encourage everyone to think about how they can support this meaningful work, reinforcing the joy that comes from giving to gospel ministry.

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Dave Whittingham dives into the complexities of justice and leadership in today's exploration of 1 Samuel. He highlights the Israelites' longing for a king who embodies both wisdom and strength, ultimately leading to their choice of Saul—a decision that proves fraught with consequences. As the narrative unfolds, Dave illustrates how Saul's failure to heed God's commands leads to his rejection as king, paving the way for a new leader who understands true justice. This episode emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's word and the implications of choices made by leaders. With a rich blend of biblical analysis and relatable commentary, listeners are encouraged to reflect on the nature of authority and the ultimate hope found in God's faithful plans.

Find out more about Dave and the show at faithfulgod.net.

Show your thanks and support for Dave and help other people hear Stories of a Faithful God by signing up for the monthly prayer letter and by becoming a regular financial supporter here.

To ask a question, make a comment, give encouragement or invite Dave to speak, you can make contact here.

If you have or know kids, be sure to check out Dave's other podcast, Stories of a Faithful God for Kids.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

How tall was Goliath? - https://thebiblearchaeologyandhistory.wordpress.com/2024/08/26/how-tall-was-goliath/

In this bonus episode, we meet Kate Morris - Kate is a writer, speaker, and educator who supports families with neurodivergent children. She has served in children’s ministry as a cross-cultural worker in France, and now lives in Sydney with her husband and three children, including two who are neurodivergent. Kate combines her background in education and biblical studies with further study in neurodivergence to equip families and churches with practical, Bible-shaped resources.

You can read her Substack articles here at An Extraordinary Normal: Faith, Family and Neurodivergence

You can listen to our new podcast, Neurodivergence, Family and Faith, on your listening app or here.

Check out all the podcasts on the Faithful God Network at faithfulgod.net

What do you hope for? That’s the big question we’re diving into today! In this episode, we chat about the nature of hope—how it can lift us up or leave us feeling pretty dashed when things don’t go as planned. We explore the Israelites' hope in King Saul and how that hope quickly crumbles under pressure, revealing that sometimes our expectations can lead us astray. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom! We also highlight God's unwavering faithfulness, showing us that even when our hopes are misplaced, He remains steadfast and true. So join Dave as he explores 1 Samuel 11-14, and see how Jonathon's faith in God gives him hope and courage, while Saul's Faithlessness drives him into fear.

Find out more about Dave and the show at faithfulgod.net.

Show your thanks and support for Dave and help other people hear Stories of a Faithful God by signing up for the monthly prayer letter and by becoming a regular financial supporter here.

To ask a question, make a comment, give encouragement or invite Dave to speak, you can make contact here.

If you have or know kids, be sure to check out Dave's other podcast, Stories of a Faithful God for Kids.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

What do you want from a leader? For Israel, they wanted to move towards having a human king, just like the nations around them. By making that request, they were rejecting their one true king, the Lord God. God could just abandon them, but instead, he shows his love yet again by establishing a kingship that will leads to both their salvation and the salvation of the world. Join Dave as he explores 1 Samuel 8-10, and discover the faithful love of God in caring for his rebellious people.

Find out more about Dave and the show at faithfulgod.net.

Show your thanks and support for Dave and help other people hear Stories of a Faithful God by signing up for the monthly prayer letter and by becoming a regular financial supporter here.

To ask a question, make a comment, give encouragement or invite Dave to speak, you can make contact here.

If you have or know kids, be sure to check out Dave's other podcast, Stories of a Faithful God for Kids.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Do you ever try to manipulate God? He holds the greatest power in the universe, and we often want it used for our own plans. In today's story, we explore how the Israelites try to weaponise the power of God by taking the ark with them into battle. They are going to learn, though, that God is not a tool to be wielded whenever they want, but the king of the universe. Only through true worship can they come to enjoy the true power of God. Join Dave as he explores 1 Samuel 4-7.

Takeaways:

• In the podcast, the host emphasizes the importance of allowing biblical passages to communicate their intended messages without personal bias or interpretation.
• The narrative highlights the contrast between genuine devotion to God and the tendencies of individuals to manipulate Him for personal gain.
• The discussion also delves into the consequences faced by the Israelites due to their failure to respect and honor God's sovereignty during their battles.
• Furthermore, the episode illustrates the significance of true repentance and reliance on God as the Israelites finally turn away from false gods and seek His assistance.

Find out more about Dave and the show at faithfulgod.net.

Show your thanks and support for Dave and help other people hear Stories of a Faithful God by signing up for the monthly prayer letter and by becoming a regular financial supporter here.

To ask a question, make a comment, give encouragement or invite Dave to speak, you can make contact here.

If you have or know kids, be sure to check out Dave's other podcast, Stories of a Faithful God for Kids.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Have you ever been disappointed by unmet expectations? Have you ever felt like God has let you down? In this episode, we explore how God so often does what is not expected. This isn't bad, though, as what he does is so much better than what people expect of him. The episode is the start of a new series in 1 Samuel. We see how God brings hope and joy out of one woman's suffering. The hope and joy is not for her alone, but for the whole nation of Israel. As God does this, he also begins his plans to rid Israel of corrupt and bullying leaders. We'll see how God's wonderful actions of the past pointed to an an even greater hope and joy through Jesus. Join Dave as he explores 1 Samuel chapters 1-3.

Find out more about Dave and the show at faithfulgod.net.

Show your thanks and support for Dave and help other people hear Stories of a Faithful God by signing up for the monthly prayer letter and by becoming a regular financial supporter here.

To ask a question, make a comment, give encouragement or invite Dave to speak, you can make contact here.

If you have or know kids, be sure to check out Dave's other podcast, Stories of a Faithful God for Kids.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.