Mercy Church

Reasons for Rejoicing Text: 1 Peter 1:1-9 Rev. John Downs As elect exiles who have been chosen by God and had our hearts regenerated, we can humbly understand that we contributed nothing to our new birth while rejoicing that our … May 5, 2024 Read More »

Evil and Triumph Text: 1 Samuel 22:6-23 Rev. John Downs What a stark contrast in today’s text between the perverse, irrational evil demonstrated by Saul, and the triumph of Yahweh in preserving a remnant of the priesthood through Abiathar.  God’s … April 28, 2024 Read More »

Sustenance and Sanctuary Text: 1 Samuel 21:1-22:5 Rev. John Downs Today we find Yahweh’s anointed King David in desperate need of food and refuge from his enemies.  Just as he found sustenance through God’s provision of the showbread, and sanctuary … April 21, 2024 Read More »

Covenant Stakes and Security Text: 1 Samuel 20 Rev. John Downs In life, our attention is naturally drawn to situations in which the stakes are high and there’s no guarantee of security.  In reality, our spiritual life is much more … April 14, 2024 Read More »

Reception and Refuge Text: 1 Samuel 18-19 Rev. John Downs The life of faith involves elements of both pleasure and pain that are held in tension, as explicitly illustrated in today’s text.  The love and adoration of Jonathan, Michal and … April 7, 2024 Read More »

Covenant Challenge and Champion Text: 1 Samuel 17 Rev. John Downs The encounter between David and Goliath is one of theological and cosmic significance, addressing the issue of whose god will rule. Rather than focus on the physical attributes of … March 31, 2024 – Easter Read More »

Wisdom and Work Text: 1 Samuel 16 Rev. John Downs At some point in our lives, all of us have had an unexpected disruption that tempted us to anxiety and to ask ourselves, “What do I do now?”  Today’s text … March 24, 2024 Read More »

A Kingly Devotion Text: 1 Samuel 15 Rev. John Downs All of us have had high hopes that were never realized, and that is very disappointing.  We see in today’s narrative that a presumptuous King Saul is in conflict with … March 17, 2024 Read More »

The Audacity of Faith and Ignorance Text: 1 Samuel 14 Rev. John Downs Context often determines the meaning of words.  The narrative in today’s passage displays two types of audacity.  Jonathan manifests a positive audacious confidence in God’s faithfulness, in … March 10, 2024 Read More »

Hope For The Helpless Text: 1 Samuel 13 Rev. John Downs Our text today shows the beginning of the end of the reign of King Saul and leaves us with a cliffhanger concerning the welfare of Israel, facing enemies “like … March 3, 2024 Read More »