by Shannon Tillman | Jul 9, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
I recall walking down a sidewalk with my niece who was around ten years old at the time. It was a hot, sunny day. On the sidewalk were hundreds of shriveled, brown, dead earthworms. It was disgusting. My niece named the sidewalk, “the valley of the shadow of death”. (She could and still finds humor in anything.) A struggling earthworm caught on the burning pavement became to her a source of compassion. I would have left the disgusting thing behind, but she wanted to help the poor critter survive by moving him into the cool grass. It was an easy transport for her as a “giant” to move the worm to refuge which was beyond reach to the worm due to the distance, the concrete, and the sun. One earthworm survived for another day.
I am reminded of this story whenever I read this verse:
Isaiah 41:14
Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
An entire nation is like a tiny, helpless worm to the Lord. The worm is helpless in its circumstances, overcome by the many obstacles against it. The nation of Israel had many foes to contend against.
Isaiah 41:12-13
“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
All, the many, that would come against Israel, all would become as nothing at all. Why? Because the Lord helped them. The Lord, a “giant” above the circumstances, chose to pick up and help a tiny nation to protect it from permanent annihilation. Other nations would be destroyed, by one nation would be saved, not by their merit but the heart of God toward them.
Isaiah 41:8-9
“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
Even though throughout history Israel rejected God, the Lord did not reject them. There was discipline of course for their disobedience, but He always showed His love toward them, gave them mercy, and kept His promise to them as a nation as evident even today.
There are times I utilize these verses to pray. I remind the Lord that I am like a worm, not able to navigate the circumstances against me. Without divine help, I will shrivel up in these situations. I ask for His help, not because of anything worthwhile on my part, for what can a worm offer the owner of the universe? Yet, in His tender compassion, He helps even me.
Whatever you may be going through today, please know this: the Lord is not walking by, disgusted by you or oblivious to your circumstances. He desires to help because of His deep compassion for you. God will not leave you on the burning sidewalk of life but will pick you up and take you to the “green pastures”. No situation is too difficult for Him. Do not be afraid. The Lord rescues worms, like you and me.
Psalm 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
by Shannon Tillman | Jul 2, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
It happened AGAIN. I thought I had settled the matter. I would trust God despite the spiraling down of circumstances. But as the tears ran down my cheeks, I realized I had once again pressed into the questions, the doubt, the fear, the pain. The situations crushed me as the seemingly unanswered prayers washed over me. Suddenly, I realized the storms of life were minimal compared to the storm within me. I needed Jesus to speak to my storm.
Mark 4:35-39
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Jesus spoke to two natures that day. He spoke to the physical nature of the wind and the waves. However, He also spoke to the nature inside man, inside the disciples, inside me.
Mark 4:40
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Why are you responding to your circumstances instead of trusting me? We may respond with fear, control, depression, anger, bitterness, withdrawal, repression, avoidance, or a host of other options which combat faith. Yet, we are called to trust. Trust that Jesus is with us, trust that Jesus has a plan, trust that Jesus is in control, trust the timing Jesus has for us, trust that Jesus will overcome, trust, trust, trust.
We do not trust because in essence we do not know Jesus.
Mark 4:41
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Who is this? That is our question as well. For if we really knew, there would be no hesitation to trust. There would be no other response but to believe. What do I not yet know about Jesus that limits my faith? Thankfully, though, my little faith does not diminish the greatness of God. Although the disciples did not have faith, Jesus still calmed the storm. While there is much I still need to learn of Jesus, I do know He will calm the storm inside of me.
by Shannon Tillman | Jun 4, 2026 | Blog, Thoughts
Someone attempted to show me an x-ray image on the phone of a pre-surgery condition. I quickly declined the offer. She explained it was only a picture. She was not about to remove the bandages to show me the actual wound. Once again, I declined. Picture or in-person, the impact on me would be the same: wooziness and nausea. I do not want to see the insides of anyone, no matter how “minor” the medical situation seems to be.
To see beyond the veil of skin is one matter, to see beyond the veil of the natural into the supernatural is an offer I would readily accept. Although, the actuality of doing so would make me faint just like Daniel and John did in the presence of the Divine. This offer is not just to a certain few. Any person can choose to see beyond the limits of this world if one is willing to meet certain conditions.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
I have read this verse many times, yet it struck me differently this week. Usually, I have considered that those who are uncorrupted by the world would have special revelations of God in this life and of course in the life to come. However, I think the verse speaks to even more. Could it be that the pure in heart choose to see God in every situation of life? They look past the circumstances, whether good or bad, and see the Lord who is behind it all, sovereignly reigning over every event.
I am not pure in heart. I look at the situations and often get angry at God for not “fixing” them. I do not see the Lord as orchestrating things for good, but standing by and doing nothing. I am not viewing the Lord for I am seeking after my own opinions or desires in the circumstances. Thus, I miss Him, and I miss the blessing promised.
If I am not seeing God, then I am not pure in heart. If I am not pure in heart, then somehow my heart is polluted. What is the problem? A spiritual x-ray would show a heart in trauma from past hurts, shell-shocked by the actions of others, wounded from mistreatment, torn apart from betrayal. Yet, I hold onto what I should let go, only harming myself in the process.
But if these leftover emotions stemming from circumstances were removed, what would I see? God allowed certain events in order to protect me from further harm. He knew I would not rescue myself so He forced a rescue of me. I would see the Lord wanted to teach me to stop enabling wrong behaviors, to stand on truth not approval, to let Him be the Savior and not me. I think I would see God’s comfort when I wanted a fix, God’s lessons over time when I sought for quick resolutions, God’s healing when I wanted answers, God’s patience when I had emotional temper tantrums.
The pure in heart see God. What are we seeing? People? Circumstances? Loss? Unresolved situations? Broken relationships? We must look past what attempts to pollute our hearts. A pure heart sees God behind every piece of life. When we see Him, truly see Him, the other pieces seem insignificant in light of who He is to us and for us. Look for God today.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
by Shannon Tillman | May 14, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
We live in a world of comparison. Who is prettier? Smarter? Richer? Funnier? Nicer? Anything can be compared. We size up people and put them in a category of either “above” or “below” us in whatever classification we choose. Spirituality, or lack thereof, can also be compared. Often, we judge others harsher than ourselves. Their wrongdoing is somehow worse than our sin. Such is the case of Jehu, a military commander, who became king in a day.
2 Kings 9:1-3
The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”
The prophet did as Elisha had commanded. Jehu told his men the message and they hailed him as king. The soldiers followed Jehu to defeat the king in power, an evil man named Joram, who had a wicked mother named Jezebel. Jehu approached the palace with his men.
2 Kings 9:22-24
When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Joram turned about and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot.
Jehu confronted Joram on the idolatry and witchcraft in the kingdom. Jezebel was the chief orchestrator and financer of these atrocities. Jehu, after killing Joram, went to deal with Jezebel.
2 Kings 9:30-33
Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?” He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.
Jezebel was also killed due to her wicked ways. But Jehu did not stop there. He realized he must cleanse Israel of the worship of the false god, Baal. He orchestrated a plan to kill all of the Baal worshippers.
2 Kings 10:25-28
As soon as Jehu had finished making the burnt offering, he ordered the guards and officers: “Go in and kill them; let no one escape.” So they cut them down with the sword. The guards and officers threw the bodies out and then entered the inner shrine of the temple of Baal. They brought the sacred stone out of the temple of Baal and burned it. They demolished the sacred stone of Baal and tore down the temple of Baal, and people have used it for a latrine to this day.So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel.
Jehu responded to the Lord’s call and wiped-out Baal worship. He was on mission to purge Israel of this sin. This should have been a time of national revival in the worship of the true God. However, there was a problem.
2 Kings 10:29
However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
What? Jehu destroyed Baal worship, took down hundreds of pagans in the name of the Lord, inflicted justice on the royal family in the zeal of the Lord, yet still decided to keep a personal set of idols. Somehow, he thought his idols were not as bad as their idols. He believed they should be killed for their false beliefs while he could live in his compromise.
How often do we judge the sins of others while holding tightly onto our own? We think what they do is wrong, while excusing our own actions with “it is not so bad.” We compare out with “well, at least I am not doing that”. As if what we are doing wrong did not still need the blood shed on the cross to forgive us. Our excuses for our own sins only delay repentance and could even lead others into sin.
2 Kings 10:31
Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit.
Not only did one man’s sin encourage others to sin, it also caused a nation to experience war.
2 Kings 10:32
In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael overpowered the Israelites throughout their territory…
When we do not repent from sin, we will experience much-deserved discipline. The consequences were not for Jehu alone but for Israel as well since many worshipped the golden calves. However, all of this could have been avoided if Jehu had been as zealous to remove his idols as much as the idols of others. We need to approach our sin with the same opinion as we do others, and to cut it out quickly. It is not to be compared but to be conquered.
by Shannon Tillman | Apr 30, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
When my friend texted asking for prayer, I knew before she even told me what was going on that her one relative was back in town. This family member has been creating painful, wicked, and divisive drama for years. My friend was desperate and asking for prayer AGAIN. We have prayed and prayed and nothing has happened for so long. I could hear her discouragement. I could hear the anxiety of what this person would do this time around. I could hear the questions of “God, will You finally intervene?”
That same morning, I had read this passage, which I sent to her. It was not the normal “Hang in there” message, or a cliché “God will work it out”. Instead, it was a passage of violence.
Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.” Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”
These verses depict a gory scene of destruction. The Messiah, the One who is mighty to save, caused the havoc. He trampled the nations who came against Israel. He waged the war alone for none could help. His clothes were stained with the blood of the enemy. When I read this passage of war, I felt the Lord say, “Deliverance is messy.”
We are in a war. Peel back behind what is seen on this earth and the reality of a terrible spiritual war becomes painfully evident. Demons are raging against people; wanting to steal, kill, and destroy. They do not want to lose their territory in our lives. The battle is vicious. There are times that the deliverance from evil is a huge mess. Yet, the mess is not ours to fix. Jesus fights for us. Jesus fights for you. The fight takes time. He trampled the enemy but it was not in just a moment. Over time, He waged war until victory was complete.
Jesus is our warrior. Whatever is coming against you, know that He will win the fight. It is not in our time, or in the way we expect, but He will be victorious. It may be messy along the way, but victory will come. And when it does, we will praise His name:
Isaiah 63:7
I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
Jesus, our warrior, the Messy Deliverer, is worthy of praise because He truly has done many good things for us. He has rescued us and will deliver us. Soon, we will see His complete victory in our lives.
