Category: Devotionals

These are devotional readings, composed by Grace at Wellington to aid in your reading of scripture and the application of it into your lives.

  • 2 Samuel 2:1-11: Small Beginnings

    Our society likes big things and big bangs. One hundred day plans. Transformational change. Slow and steady might win the race in the past, but today bigger is better. Incremental growth and change is insufficient for the supposed fast pace of the world we live in. We look down on small beginnings.

  • 2 Samuel 1:17-27: Expressing Grief

    David knew grief well, and knew that it sometimes needs expressing. While he and his men had emotionally grieved the death of Saul, Jonathan, and so many of Israel’s army, that was not enough. David composed a lament, or written expression of grief. His lament reminds us that grieving in this sinful world is normal.…

  • 2 Samuel 1:1-16: Mourning, Fear, and Judgement

    The first scene of 2 Samuel introduces us to David’s learning of King Saul’s death through the arrival of a grifter, bearing Saul’s kingly baubles. We quickly discover that the man is less concerned with the situation than with his own advancement, and meets judgement for it. On the other hand, David’s response shows the…

  • Genesis 21:1-7: The Promise Fulfilled

    When God promises, God acts. The deed follows the word which announces it. As Christmas quickly approaches, we remember again God’s fulfilment of the many promises he made about the coming of Jesus, the promised son. Just as Isaac’s birth fulfilled the promise made to Abraham and Sarah, so too the birth of Jesus is…

  • Genesis 17:15-18:15: The Promised Offspring

    God had his own plans and wisdom that were greater than Abraham’s. The inheritor of God’s covenant promises to Abraham would come through Abraham and Sarah, not Ishmael or another (v.19). Ishmael would receive his own blessing (v.20), but Isaac would inherit the promises (v.21). In a year, they would see.

  • 1 Samuel 31: Saul’s Downfall

    While David had successfully rescued his wives and children from captivity, and even spread the bounty of victory around, the Philistines and Israel under Saul entered into battle. For Saul, the battle did not go as it did for David, because God was with David and was not with Saul.

  • Romans 1-3: Recap

    A recap of Paul’s narrative so far – we are all sinners and fall short. A summary of Romans 1-3 is in the PowerPoint below. Our passage in focus: Romans 1-3, Preacher Ian Bayne, Sunday 3rd December. Resources Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

  • 1 Samuel 30: Tragedy to Triumph

    But unlike recent situations which had led to a ransacked Ziklag, “David strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (v.6). How is not exactly stated, but given David’s next steps, it likely involved prayer and meditation on God’s promises to him and to his people.

  • 1 Samuel 29: Surprise Saviour

    The author of Samuel appeared to be setting up a final grudge match between David and Saul, lined up against each other. David, forced onto the Philistine side by his recent choices. Saul, about to face the hour of his final judgement due to his own past choices. This, despite the many situations in the…

  • 1 Samuel 28:3-25: Divine Despair

    For some, this “Dark Night of the Soul” or “Divine Despair” is the road by which unbelievers come to Christ. For many unbelievers though, hardened by many years of rejecting Christ and suppressing the truth of God’s existence in unrighteousness, there is no comfort that comes from God. Only the knowledge of coming judgement. Lord…