“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him (1 Samuel 18:7-8, NKJV).

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,

and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways.

Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel (1 Samuel 8:4-6, NKJV).

Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord

(1 Samuel 2:12, NKJV).

“The Lordrepay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LordGod of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge” (Ruth 2:12, NKJV).

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV).

A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

            Have you ever heard the saying, “If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans”? I’m not sure if God laughs when we outline our plans to Him, but I do know He doesn’t change His plans to fit ours. And seriously, aren’t we glad of that?

“…the leaders led in Israel,…the people volunteered” (Judges 5:2, NASB).

            After a great victory, Deborah and Barak sang a song that included the above words. I find it significant that in reference to victory, they mentioned the leaders leading and the people volunteering, don’t you? I believe it’s a concept that would serve us well today.

“Not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lordyour God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you;

not one word of them has failed” (Joshua 23:14, NKJV).

“Neither do I condemn you; go andsin no more” (John 8:11, NKJV).

“There is no other name under heaven given among men

by which we must be saved”(Acts 4:12, NKJV).

            When we were young (or maybe not so young) and people called us derogatory names, it hurt our feelings. If we ran home crying about it, our parents may have tried to make us feel better by telling us that names don’t matter. But is that true?