I thought I’d start sharing a few of them with you.

1 — On Faithfulness

Proverbs 12:22 says that those who “deal truly” are God’s delight. If something delights the LORD, I want to know what it is.

That phrase describes more than simply telling the truth. It describes a life characterized by faithfulness.

What I’m carrying:
A life marked by faithfulness bears the likeness of Christ.

2 — On Speaking Up

Jonathan found himself in a unique situation. His father—and his king—had given him a command: Kill your best friend.

Standing up for David could cost Jonathan his life. Yet he found a way to defend his friend while still speaking respectfully to his father and king.

What I’m carrying:
Respect and Spirit-filled rebuke can coexist.

It reminds me of Proverbs 25:15: “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.”

3 — On Humility

David was once a shepherd called up to play music before the king.

Now he was a war hero called down to play music for the king—the same king who had already tried to kill him.

What I’m carrying:
Is there anything I feel is below me?

One more thing:
Two of these thoughts came from my study of 1 Samuel 19. If you’d like to spend a little more time there with me, you can listen to this week’s episode of the Committed Way Podcast.

Brad

P.S. I’m trying something new with Worth Carrying. If you enjoy this format and think I should keep it going, leave a comment or let me know. I’d love to hear what you think.

While I haven’t been sending many emails lately, one thing that has continued consistently is the Committed Way podcast. Each week, I’ve been teaching through the book of 1 Samuel in our adult Sunday School class and sharing those lessons on the podcast.

I’m also beginning to write again, which means you’ll probably be hearing from me a little more often. But I thought a good place to start would be simply sharing this week’s lesson.

God Is My Defense — 1 Samuel 19

Saul’s private jealousy has become open hostility. He orders David’s death, throws another javelin, sends men to surround his house, and eventually goes after David himself.

Yet throughout 1 Samuel 19, David keeps discovering that God is his defense.

In this lesson, we see Jonathan model gracious but courageous confrontation, David serve humbly even after being mistreated, and the difference between merely restraining sinful behavior and dealing with the heart beneath it. We also see that trusting God doesn’t mean ignoring danger—David dodges the javelin and climbs out the window while continuing to trust God with the outcome.

The lesson concludes in Psalm 59, written during these events, where David looks beyond every human means of deliverance and declares, “God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.”

David, however, cannot see everything happening behind the scenes. He does not know all of Saul’s motives or plans. What he can do is remain humble, behave wisely, and faithfully respond to the situation God has placed in front of him.

This lesson explores the danger of manipulation, the difference between knowing God’s will and submitting to it, and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to control every outcome. We may not know everything others are doing, and we may not understand everything God is allowing, but we can humble ourselves, seek wisdom from His Word, and trust Him with the results.

In this lesson, we look at what Jonathan teaches us about friendship, what it means that David “behaved himself wisely,” and why walking with God is not a guarantee of an easy or outwardly successful life. David became king; Jonathan died in battle. The goal is not to control the outcome, but to remain humble, faithful, and wise on whatever path God gives us.

In this lesson from 1 Samuel 17:31–58, we look beyond the giant and the sling to the deeper truths that have made David and Goliath more than an underdog story. David remembered God’s faithfulness in the past, depended on Him in the present, and was determined that God receive the glory in the victory.

Whatever challenges we face, the same principles remain: walk humbly, move forward by faith, depend upon God, and remember—“the battle is the LORD’S.”

While everyone else sees the size of Goliath, David sees the greatness of the living God. And when criticism comes—not from the enemy, but from his own brother—David refuses to become distracted from the greater cause before him.

In this first part of our study of David and Goliath, we look beyond the familiar underdog story to two qualities that prepared David for what was ahead: humility and faith. The same God Israel had trusted in the past was still with them in the valley—and the same God is worthy of our trust when we face the giants in our own lives.

But this lesson isn’t just about Saul. It’s about us.

What “Agag” are we still sparing in our own lives? What sin, bitterness, pride, compromise, or hidden rebellion are we keeping alive while convincing ourselves everything is fine because we still look spiritual on the outside?

In this message from 1 Samuel 15, we examine the danger of convenient obedience and the powerful truth that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” If we refuse to obey God in the clear things, the “foggy” areas of life may stay foggy.

You can fool people with religious activity. You cannot fool God.

As Israel stood on the edge of victory, Saul made a rash vow that left the people exhausted, vulnerable, and spiritually compromised. What started as a military victory quickly turned into a lesson on legalism, leadership, pride, and the danger of adding burdens God never intended His people to carry.

Along the way, we discuss:

• The difference between faith-based leadership and flesh-based leadership

• How legalism can weaken people instead of strengthen them

• Why performance-based Christianity leads to fear and exhaustion

• The importance of reaching the heart, not just enforcing outward rules

• How God’s Word strengthens us while man-made burdens drain us

This passage is more than an ancient battle story—it’s a warning to every parent, pastor, leader, and believer. Saul’s downfall didn’t begin with open rebellion. It began when pride slowly replaced humility.

If you’ve ever struggled under the weight of trying to “earn” God’s favor, or if you’re trying to lead others without crushing them under unnecessary burdens, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

In this week’s lesson from 1 Samuel 14, we step into a moment where Israel is paralyzed by fear—while their king hides under a tree. But one man, Jonathan, chooses a different path. With nothing but faith in God and an unnamed armor bearer by his side, he takes a bold step forward… not knowing how it will end, only trusting who God is.

This message challenges us to stop letting our circumstances define our faith. True faith doesn’t ignore reality—it just refuses to make it bigger than God. When Jonathan moved, God moved. And when God moved, everything changed.

Are you sitting in fear… or stepping out in faith?

In 1 Samuel 13, Israel finally has their king. This is what they wanted. A leader to fight their battles. And at first, things look promising. Jonathan steps out in faith and wins a bold victory over the Philistines. But that victory quickly turns into pressure… and that pressure reveals what’s really going on in Saul’s heart.

As the enemy gathers in overwhelming numbers and fear begins to spread, Saul finds himself in a moment every one of us will face—a moment where he has to choose between trusting God or taking matters into his own hands. And instead of waiting… he acts. Instead of obeying… he compromises.

Saul’s reasoning makes sense from a human standpoint—“because I saw…” the people scattering, the enemy advancing, and no help in sight. But that’s the problem. He was walking by sight, not by faith.

In this lesson, we walk through how a bold victory turned into brewing fear, and how that fear led to disobedience, excuses, and ultimately consequences that would affect Saul for the rest of his life. It’s a powerful reminder that even in our most pressured moments, God is not asking us to figure everything out—He’s asking us to trust Him and obey.

And the question we have to ask ourselves is this:
Is there an area in my life right now where I’m reacting out of fear instead of walking by faith?

Because just like Saul, when we stop trusting God and start taking control, it doesn’t lead to strength—it leaves us vulnerable.

This passage isn’t just about Saul… it’s about us.

He begins by pointing to his own life and testimony. Not to lift himself up, but to establish something important: integrity matters. He had walked faithfully before them, even making hard decisions when it came to his own family. Then he reminds them that just as he had been faithful, God had been faithful—over and over again. From Egypt to the judges, every time Israel cried out, God delivered. But when their latest problem came, they didn’t cry out to God—they looked for help somewhere else.

That’s where the challenge hits us. Because we can do the same thing. We can sit in church, say we trust God, and yet when pressure comes—financial stress, health issues, uncertainty—we panic, we scramble, we look everywhere else first. And Samuel’s message is simple but powerful: you have a choice. Fear the Lord, serve Him, and obey Him… or turn away and face the consequences.

To make sure they understood, God sent a storm during harvest—something rare and terrifying—to get their attention. And finally, the people admitted what they hadn’t before: “We have sinned.” That moment of clarity led to one of the most important calls in the chapter—don’t turn aside, but serve the Lord with all your heart.

That’s the heart of this message. Not just saying we follow God, but truly giving Him everything—our trust, our focus, our dependence. Because it’s so easy to get distracted by things that aren’t necessarily wrong, but in the end, they don’t profit or deliver like a relationship with God does.

And I love how Samuel closes. Even after being rejected, he tells the people, “I’m not going to stop praying for you, and I’m going to keep teaching you the right way.” That’s the heart of a godly leader—and a reminder of God’s grace toward us.

So the question comes back to us: we know Samuel was faithful, we know God is faithful… but will we be faithful? Will we trust Him not just on the mountaintop, but in the valley? Will we follow Him—not halfway—but with all our heart?

But into that moment steps Saul—a new, unproven king—empowered by the Spirit of God. What follows is a story of courage, unity, and unexpected grace. This chapter reminds us that victory doesn’t come from compromise, but from dependence on God—and that even after our greatest wins, we must guard against the subtlety of pride.

If you’ve ever felt pressured to give in, back down, or settle spiritually, this lesson will challenge you to stand firm, stay vigilant, and trust God for true victory.

This chapter reveals not only the beginning of Saul’s kingship, but also how God prepares those He calls.

After anointing Saul, Samuel gives him a series of specific signs. These were not random events—they were intentional lessons designed to teach Saul how to live and lead as king.

You can subscribe to the email newsletter here:

Subscribe now