Insights Magazine: Issue Four, 2024

In this issue

3 “Father, Forgive Them” Praying for Our Enemies with the Heart of Christ charles r. swindoll

6 Three Tips for Your Family charles r. swindoll

Character Sketch

8 David: A Man of Humility and Faith insight for living canada

About the Bible

10 Bible Basics: Progressive Revelation steve johnson

Searching the Scriptures Study

14 The Integrity of a Wise Wife

Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 40 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ.

Copyright © 2024 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Byeongtaek So. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.

Humanly speaking, the natural thing for Jesus to have done was pray for God’s rescue. He had His Father’s ear.

“Father, Forgive Them” Praying for Our Enemies with the Heart of Christ

by Charles R. Swindoll

When you think about it, forgiveness makes no sense. When someone offends you, the reasonable thing to do, by instinct, is to retaliate. Even the score. Make so-and-so pay. Teach that person a lesson.

An eye for an eye makes sense. Especially when you feel betrayed. But forgiveness? Hardly. And yet, it’s precisely the unexpected, contradictory nature of forgiveness that makes it so beautiful...so Christlike.

No one modelled the spirit of forgiveness better than Jesus. During the excruciating pain of His crucifixion—even as the soldiers were hammering the metal spikes through His wrists and feet—Jesus exclaimed,

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Humanly speaking, the natural thing for Jesus to have done was pray for God’s rescue. He had His Father’s ear. A two-second appeal would have put “thousands of angels” at His disposal (Matthew 26:53). Instead, He felt sorrow and had pity.

The mocking crowd challenged Jesus to protect Himself. Even the thief next to Him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” (Luke 23:39).

But instead of calling on His Father to save Him, Jesus prayed to His Father to forgive the ones who were causing Him so much pain.

Now, you may be thinking, as I was when I first considered Christ’s words of forgiveness,

No way could I have done that. Who can ask God to forgive an enemy? Is it even possible?

Yes!

Praying for forgiveness for our enemies is possible, even when our instincts work against it. The Holy Spirit can help us rise above our feelings of pride, anger, and self-preservation. He gives us a deep and broad perspective, softening our hearts to extend Christlike love to all—even to our enemies who hurt us.

It’s easy to love the lovely and forgive the forgivable. Christians are unique because of the One we follow. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Christians can love the unlovely and forgive the unforgivable. But how?

By following Christ’s lead.

Here are a few clues in Jesus’ prayer from the cross.

First, He prayed to the Father . In this painful moment, Jesus turned His thoughts to the Father. Rather than dwell on His misery, rather than brood on the injustice of the moment, rather than consider how He could get out of the pain and get even, Jesus immediately looked to the Father.

Second, He asked the Father to forgive What does forgive mean? The early church martyr, Stephen, expressed it verbally while his enemies were hurling rocks at him, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” (Acts 7:60). Ask God to show your enemies mercy—the opposite of what any of us deserve.

Third, He asked the Father to forgive them Jesus prayed very specifically. He had the soldiers in mind. But, in a larger sense, the objects of His prayer were all sinners... including you and me. Sinful humanity put Him on the cross. Realizing our own need for the Father’s forgiveness makes us humble. Humility helps us pray for our enemies who need the same forgiveness that we need.

Fourth, Jesus said, “ they don’t know what they are doing ” (Luke 23:34). Jesus felt compassion for those blinded by sin. Our enemies will perish unless God opens their eyes, revives their hearts, and forgives them. The light of forgiveness is more effective at overcoming darkness than any retaliation.

It’s very possible you have someone in mind right now who has hurt you. If so, pray through and reflect upon the Son’s teaching and example. Don’t trade punches. Instead, take pity. Have compassion. See your enemies through Jesus’ eyes and pray for God to forgive them. I know it makes no sense. It’s irrational. It’s not natural. But that unexpected, Christlike contradiction is exactly what makes forgiveness so beautiful.

Insight for Living Ministries staff adapted this article from Pastor Chuck Swindoll’s sermon, “Father, Forgive Them,” in his series, The Darkness and the Dawn.

Gain a deeper understanding of Revelation 5

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Three Tips for Your Family

by Charles R. Swindoll

The longer I live, the more convinced I become of how easy it is to allow irretrievable moments to slip away. I thought I learned this when Cynthia and I reared our four children. I’m finding it just as true now with our 10 grandchildren. Regardless of our demanding schedules and in spite of our many responsibilities, we need to treasure those precious moments our children offer.

Let me get practical right up front and ask the question that’s on your mind, “How do you do that?” I’m glad you asked. I have learned that we can capture those irretrievable moments by following three simple, two-word applications.

First, give attention. By that I mean we must notice more than the needs of the child; we must give attention to the child. I like the way one woman put it. I love her honesty.

I never really looked at my children. When I looked at their mouth, I saw dirt around it. When I looked at their nose, I saw it running. When I looked at their eyes, I saw them open when I wanted them closed. When I looked at their hair, it needed combing or cutting. I never really looked at the whole face without offering some advice. For 20 years, I invited myself into their lives. I put sweaters on them when I was cold, removed blankets from their

bed when I was hot. I fed them when I was hungry, put them to bed when I was tired, put them on diets when I was fat. I car-pooled them when I felt that the distance was too far for me to walk. Then I told them they took a lot of my time. I never realized as I dedicated my life to yellow wax build up and ring-around-thecollar that cleanliness is not next to godliness— children are!1

REGARDLESS

OF

OUR DEMANDING SCHEDULES AND IN SPITE OF OUR MANY RESPONSIBILITIES, WE NEED TO TREASURE THOSE PRECIOUS MOMENTS OUR CHILDREN OFFER.

Take a look at yourself for a moment. Have you allowed yourself to become persnickety around the house? Are you so nitpicking that everything has to be constantly clean? Is that really next to godliness—or is it your attempt to maintain control? The dirt will just come back. But truth be told, the children may never want to come back. Give attention to the child. You can train them without breaking their spirits or degrading their self-worth.

Second, take photos . Capture those special moments in pictures. When they first learn to water ski and they are barely staying up, take a picture. When they mark on the walls with permanent markers, take a picture. Is it their first date, or first corsage? Grab the camera. Photos at birthdays, graduations, and weddings are obvious. But I’m talking about those daily moments in the lives of each one of your children that are irretrievable. Capture those moments permanently by taking photos. Make each of your kids his or her own photo album and give it to them when they have kids of their own. You capture so much more than images when you take photos.

Third, start laughing. I’m serious! We live in one uptight generation! I mean, we are TENSE! One of my contributions to our family is a sense of humour. I will commit myself to it for

the rest of my life. They may never remember my sermons, but I hope they always remember that I’m the guy who threw their mother in the pool and lived to tell the story. (Throwing her into the pool was no big deal...but living to tell the story...well, that’s altogether different.) Most parents of adult children have one major regret. They regret not having more fun. Fun times are the moments kids log in their memories. They remember those times when something didn’t go as planned, or when Dad tripped and spilled his dinner in the restaurant, or when Mom yawned really big in church. If you can laugh about it, so will they! Unfortunately, they also remember when the slightest spilled milk turns into an hour of blame and ridicule. Without a sense of humour, you as the parent soon become the grim reaper. Your kids will feel an awkward, constant tension as they are around you...and they will yearn for the time they don’t have to be. What a tragic way to grow up! So, lighten up...and start laughing! You’ll regret it if you don’t. Laughter in the home begins with you.

Time with our kids and grandkids is precious. It is irretrievable time...never to come again. My advice? Give attention...take photos...and start laughing.

Life Lessons Just for Women “Tips on Being a Terrific Mother” WOM D02 SV 776A, May 10, 1987 (pp. 10–14)

1. Bombeck, Erma. Family—The Ties That Bind…And Gag! New York: Fawcett Books, 1987, (218–19).

David: A Man of Humility and Faith

by Insight for Living Canada

The Old Testament character of David is known for his passion, humility, and faith. Although he was a man after God’s own heart, David made many mistakes in his life, mistakes God redeemed, giving us hope that our mistakes can also be redeemed.

Name

Means “beloved” or “friend.”

Outstanding Characteristics

Humility and faith.

Summary

David was born in Bethlehem as the youngest son of Jesse of the tribe of Judah, and the great grandson of Ruth and Boaz. As a young man, he tended his father’s flocks and was anointed by

the prophet Samuel to be king of Israel. A gifted musician, David often played for King Saul. When Israel was fighting the Philistines, their champion Goliath challenged anyone to fight him. David accepted the challenge and defeated him. Afterwards, David was placed in charge of a thousand troops, became close friends with Saul’s son Jonathan and married Saul’s daughter Michal. Saul was jealous over David’s popularity and sought to kill him. David fled and became a hunted outlaw. After Saul’s death, David became king and made Jerusalem the capital city. Later, when David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, God forgave him but also punished him with consequences in his

Article

Photo: Matteo Rosselli, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

family. David’s son Solomon succeeded him as king and built the temple.

Key Scripture

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “… Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.” So [Jesse] sent and brought [David] in.… And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” (1 Samuel 16:1, 12 NASB 1995)

Lessons Learned

DAVID, A HUMBLE AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF THE LORD, WAS AS FLAWED AND HUMAN AS THE REST OF US.

1. Strength and stability: they both come from trusting God

David’s aim was true and he brought Goliath down with one stone. He was stabilized and strengthened by his trust and faith in God. We see how he turned again and again to the Lord throughout the experiences of his life and in the Psalms. If we try to tackle the giants and opposition in our lives in the flesh, we will not succeed. When we rely on the Lord, He will give us the strength and stability to be victorious. The battle is the Lord’s.

2. God forgives and redeems any situation

Although David’s sins of adultery and murder were heinous and bore severe consequences, through humility, David acknowledged his sin, God forgave him and redeemed the situation. Bathsheba became David’s wife and through their son Solomon’s lineage, the Messiah was eventually born. No matter where we are in life, when we ignore the will of the Lord we make bad decisions, which can often have tragic consequences. But no matter what sin we have committed God offers us forgiveness and restoration.

3. Prioritizing responsibilities

Regardless of how important our work is, family still needs to be a priority. David had many responsibilities as a king, general, and judge. Unfortunately, it seems that these

became his priority and he neglected his family. David loved, but apparently spoiled, his children, giving them whatever they wanted. When they had conflicts or sinned, he ignored it instead of dealing with it, as in the case of Amnon. Absalom rebelled against David. Another son, Adonijah, tried to usurp the kingdom. It seems that some of David’s children grew up resenting him. If children have clear boundaries and know there will be consequences for going outside of these boundaries, it gives them a sense of security and well-being. Make your family the priority over everything else except for God. Communicate with your children. Understand them. Help them to understand their own hearts and correct them and discipline them when necessary.

4. God is our guide

In dark and weak days, the Lord is our only light and strength. David faced many dark days as a fugitive, king, and father—days in which he poured out his heart to God in Psalms. He acknowledged his weakness but found strength in the Lord his God. At times, we flounder along, weak and in the dark. Yet the Lord gives us enough light and strength so that we can take the next step. That’s all He gives and, in reality, that’s all we need.

David, a humble and faithful servant of the Lord, was as flawed and human as the rest of us. We can learn a lot from his story as we navigate our journey of faith and continue striving to be faithful followers of God.

Bible Basics: Progressive Revelation

by Steve Johnson

When I was in elementary school, I learned numbers and simple arithmetic. One plus one equals two. Building on that I was later taught multiplication, division, and fractions. In later years, I was taught algebra. The algebra did not correct the basic arithmetic I learned, it built on it, becoming more specific and comprehensive.

When it comes to understanding the Bible, we have a similar concept. It is called progressive revelation, progress in revelation, or continuing revelation.

Although we may not hear much about it, it’s one of the most important concepts for understanding and interpreting the Bible correctly. We didn’t get the Bible in one complete piece. God gave us His Word progressively, over the span of about 1,500 years. Progressive revelation is a movement from one truth to another.

There is a saying about the Old and New Testaments of the Bible: “The New is in the Old Concealed; the Old is in New Revealed.” The first books written, the Old Testament, do not explain everything there is to know. These books give clear, accurate information concerning the big picture.

The New Testament books offer continuing revelation, building on the Old Testament and giving clear, accurate information concerning

the details of the picture. Throughout the process of progressive revelation, the information, like elementary arithmetic, is trustworthy and useful but is moving toward a more complete form.

Second Peter 1:20–21 says, “Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.” In other words, the Holy Spirit moved the biblical authors along by inspiration as they wrote.

That movement, progressive revelation, was not random. God purposefully arranged it. As we move through the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis and through to Malachi, we see this progression unfold slowly. It is protracted, interrupted, and often slow. Additional revelation takes place in various ways and forms and through it all the body of revealed truth grows. Then it stops entirely, and after the end of the Old Testament, there are 400 years of silence.

Revelation begins to move again as we enter the New Testament. But now it is rapid and unbroken. In the Old Testament, progress took centuries. In the New Testament, we see this progression from the gospels, to Acts, to letters to the churches and finally to the Apocalypse— all in a relatively short space of a few decades.

The supreme example of this can be seen in relation to Jesus, the Messiah-Saviour. A brief

overview of progressive revelation regarding Him is as follows: The first promise was given in Genesis 3:15.

And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.

As we move through Genesis, the promise becomes increasingly understandable.

And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me. (Genesis 22:18)

The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.

(Genesis 49:10)

us in the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—as the fulfilment of all that has preceded in the Old Testament. Jesus is the source of biblical revelation as He speaks and presents the Gospel of the kingdom and its principles of life and truth. Christ is also subject of the biblical revelation as His words and deeds are foundational to our faith and form the basis for continuing revelation that follows in the rest of the New Testament.

PROGRESSIVE REVELATION IS A MOVEMENT FROM ONE TRUTH TO ANOTHER.

Then the historical books specified that He would be a descendant of David.

I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son.

(2 Samuel 7:12b–14a)

Moving into the Psalms, we find many messianic prophecies. For example, this snapshot of Christ’s crucifixion: “They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing” (Psalm 22:16b–18).

The picture of the coming Messiah becomes even clearer with the prophets, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

This progression continues in stages in the New Testament beginning with the appearance of Jesus Christ in the flesh. He is presented to

In the gospel of John, we progress from seeing Christ in the common paths of life to seeing His glory, as we go back to “In the beginning” (John 1:1). John continued, “And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (John 1:14b). Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9b).

Leaving the Gospels, we move to the book of Acts, where Luke progresses on from “everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit,” (Acts 1:1b–2, emphasis added). Acts is welded to the past and the foundation Jesus laid in His teaching as He moves to the next stage of progression in which He builds His church through the Apostles.

The book of Acts also serves as an introduction to the letters to the churches. In those letters, the nature of the church is clarified, and what it means to be a follower of Christ is expanded.

They fulfil the promise Jesus made in John 16:12–13: “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” They reveal more about the person and work of Christ, the new covenant, how to live as a believer, as well as revealing more

about the conflicts and suffering believers experience and how to respond to them.

Finally, in the book of Revelation we see the culmination of conflict and the full disclosure of progressive revelation as the Lord Jesus as the Head of the church, the Judge of the world and Satan, and the sovereign Master of time and eternity.

Even though much has been revealed progressively in the Bible, giving us all we need for godly living in this world, there is more to come when Christ returns.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see

everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

(1 Corinthians 13:12)

Through continued progressive revelation, all will finally be revealed.

Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.

Insight for Living’s Bible-teacher Chuck Swindoll has spent more than 50 years emphasizing God’s grace alongside a commitment to practical application.

Learn more about our pastor at insightforliving.ca/chuck-swindoll

THE INTEGRITY OF A WISE WIFE

insight for living ministries

The following mini-study is presented to familiarize you with Pastor Chuck’s method of Bible study and provide an opportunity to study the passage yourself. “Wisdom isn’t afraid to act alone and do something courageous.”

—Pastor Charles R. Swindoll

THIS Searching the Scriptures study showcases Abigail, an intelligent and beautiful woman who appears only briefly in the grand narrative of Scripture, but who sparkles with wisdom and faith.

Prepare Your Heart

Anytime we turn to God’s Word we must first turn to the God of the Word to express our need for Christ to work in our hearts and minds.

Turn to the Scriptures

We meet Abigail in 1 Samuel 25, where the account unfolds like a play in three acts. Observation: The Drama in Three Acts

Observe the action as it unfolds, beginning with an introduction of the main characters as they step on the stage.

The Main Characters—1 Samuel 25:1–3

: O Read 1 Samuel 25:1–3 where the action immediately centres around Nabal, Abigail, and David. Write down what you learn about each individual.

Nabal:

Abigail:

David:

: O David often fled as a fugitive from King Saul to the rugged wilderness. Find the town of Maon at bibleatlas.org. What do you observe about this region?

As you follow the action, picture each scene as if the action is happening in front of you.

Feel the intensity of the emotions in each of the characters, beginning with Act 1.

Act 1: David’s Conflict with Nabal—1 Samuel 25:4–13

: O According to 1 Samuel 25:4–9, what service did David do for Nabal, and what did David ask in return?

: O How did Nabal, whose name means “fool,” foolishly respond to David’s request, according to 1 Samuel 25:10–11?

: O What was David’s rash reaction in 25:12–13?

Act 2: Abigail’s Wise Intercession—1 Samuel 25:14–35

: O According to 1 Samuel 25:14–19, what actions did Abigail take that displayed her wisdom?

: O According to 1 Samuel 25:20–22, what was David’s mindset when Abigail found him?

: O According to 25:23–31, how did Abigail practice wisdom in softening David’s heart and changing his mind?

: O Summarize David’s response in 1 Samuel 25:32–35.

Act 3: God’s Surprising Conclusion—1 Samuel 25:36–42

Abigail returned home to an appalling scene. Nabal was “very drunk” and oblivious to the fact that his wise wife had just saved his foolish neck (1 Samuel 25:36)!

: O According to 1 Samuel 25:37–42, what surprise concludes the drama with a blessing for Abigail and David?

Interpretation: The Theology in David’s Response

In the interpretation phase, we seek to understand the theology taught in the biblical narrative.

:I According to 1 Samuel 25:23–35, how did David understand God’s hand moving through Abigail’s actions?

Correlation: The Wisdom of God

The biblical authors address the topic of wisdom from beginning to end.

Lady Wisdom

:C Review the passages below and record what they teach about wisdom versus foolishness.

• Proverbs 4:5–9

• Proverbs 4:14–23

Christ, the Wisdom of God

: C Jesus personifies wisdom in a unique way. He not only acted and spoke with wisdom; He was the perfect expression of wisdom in the flesh. What does 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 say about Christ as the power and wisdom of God?

:C How do we participate in His wisdom, according to 1 Corinthians 1:30–31?

Application: What Wisdom

Can We Learn?

Abigail and David’s happy ending warms our hearts, but it also teaches valuable lessons.

From David, we learn that rash and angry reactions lead to regret. We are wise to cool our thoughts of retaliation and trust the Lord to handle the “Nabals” of our lives.

From Nabal, we learn that insensitive and selfish people make miserable marital partners. If you are a Nabal, break the proud habit of turning a deaf ear and thinking that your way is the only way. Learn to appreciate the “Abigails” in your life.

From Abigail, we learn that wise and patient partners make the best use of timing and tact.

The Lord intervened in Abigail’s life and blessed her with marriage to David. But had God not stepped in, Abigail’s wise and faithful spirit would have helped her through many difficult years.

:A Which character in the drama of 1 Samuel 25 do you most identify with? What aspect of their positive or negative examples are you taking with you?

:A Specifically, what can you ask the Lord to help you with today?

David took Abigail’s advice to ignore foolish Nabal and trust God to work. Try that approach next time you’re offended. In doing so, you’ll be trusting the Lord to resolve the problem.

A Final Prayer

Father, help me to be like Abigail in my relationships, wise and faithful. All wisdom has its source in You, so I come to You for the words to say, the actions to take, and the grace I need to show grace to those I love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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