Spiritual Warfare

  • Absalom’s Long-Haul Grudges

    Someone once said that holding a grudge is like drinking poison, expecting the other person to get sick. Today’s Bible reading* tells us about two of Absalom’s long-haul grudges. The first is when Amnon (Absalom’s half-brother) rapes his sister. Absalom stews for two years before killing Amnon. The next time is when Absalom has been…

  • Calling All Valiant Warriors

    Seven times in today’s Bible reading,* we encounter the term “valiant warriors” (CSB), “mighty warriors” (ESV, LEB, NLT), “mighty men” (KJV), “fighting men” (NIV), “warriors” (MSG). The word translated as warriors/men refers not only to their fighting occupation but to their strong/noble character. One Hebrew lexicon says, “Although [the book of Chronicles] generally uses the…

  • Lord of the Armies

    Twice in today’s Bible reading* we find the name of God, “Lord of the Armies”. (Psalm 84 CSB) Several English translations render the Hebrew word Sabaoth as “hosts” (ESV, AV, LEB) while others refer to “Almighty” (NIV), and “heaven’s armies” (NLT) or “Angel armies” (Message) So which translation is correct? When it comes to modern…