Sweeter Than Honey: A Breach of Faith

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? And what if we committed to doing that all year long, only to find that by the end of the year, we had read the entirety of God's Word—His Love Letter to us? 

​How many times have you, on January 1, resolved to read the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I’ve made that commitment more times than I can count, and I’ve failed more times than I’d like to admit. But a few years ago, I tried something different—I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary. Did you know that Genesis wasn’t the first book of the Bible written? While these plans can vary, since it's impossible to pinpoint exact dates for some books, the plan I used began with the book of Job. Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey, a book patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary.

​Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey ​that leads the reader
​through God's Word ​in chronological order of book authorship.

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON [HARDCOVER | PAPERBACK | KINDLE | AUDIOBOOK]

On Tuesdays, through the end of the year, I’d love for you to join me as we travel through parts of Sweeter Than Honey​ together! I also encourage you to join the private Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group, where you can share your thoughts and connect with like-minded, Christian friends.

​1 Chronicles 10-12: A Breach of Faith​

Today, we read about the deaths of King Saul and his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua.

“Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, ‘Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me.’ But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died. Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together. And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them.

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. And they put his armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. But when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.
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So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” (1 Chronicles 10:1-14)

The Bible records that Saul died because of his breach of faith in the Lord. This passage tells us that he did not keep the commandments of the Lord, and he did not seek guidance from the Lord. Instead, Saul looked for guidance in other places. 

I want us to think about how often we go looking for guidance in other places before we look to God for guidance, and isn’t this also a breach of faith? Let’s pray today that God will strengthen our faith. 

"Dear Father, please make my faith strong. Help me to depend solely on You. Give me the desire to keep Your ways. Help me to look to You first for guidance. May I come to You first when I have choices to make, when I need clarity, and when I need direction. Remind me of how You have been there for me in the past. Allow me to see You working in my life today. Let me never have a breach of faith. In Your name —Amen."

​What lessons can we learn from Saul's breach of faith, and how can we ensure that we consistently seek guidance from God rather than turning to other sources in uncertain times?

​About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, it brings inspiration and insight that guides my day. Let's treat His Word as the Love Letter it truly is, finding peace in chaos and strength in our weaknesses.

​Even on our busiest days, we can carve out a few minutes to focus on what truly matters. Whether it's early in the morning when the house is quiet or late at night after everyone else is asleep, we can make time for God’s Word.

Let's be intentional, letting His truths inspire us to live out our faith daily, in a way that draws others to the peace and joy we've found in Him.

Remember, God sees you, knows you by name, and cares about every detail of your life. Let's dive into His Love Letter, together!

​My top tip for successful Bible study? Be intentional with a plan. Without one, it's unlikely to happen. That's why I created Sweeter Than Honey—to give busy women like us a manageable, attainable plan to read through the Bible in a year.

Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey inspired by Psalm 119:103: “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” This book is designed to help you find peace amid chaos and strength in your weakest moments, all while encouraging you in your daily walk with God. Each day’s reading itinerary and devotion will guide you through God’s Word, in chronological order of book authorship, and by year's end you will have read through the entire Bible!

“You’ll find encouragement on every page of this book—encouragement to seek God above all else. The strong, spiritual emphasis will challenge you to turn to God for daily direction and experience His presence in a whole new and intentional way. Sweeter Than Honey will become more to you than just another daily devotional, it will become a keepsake as you record prayers and participate in thought-provoking, practical exercises that touch every aspect of your life and draw you closer to our Creator.” —from the Prologue

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What People Are Saying About Sweeter Than Honey

"Sweeter Than Honey is a breath of fresh air for anyone seeking a meaningful and intentional approach to daily Bible study. The author's focus on providing a manageable plan for busy women to read through the Bible in a year is both practical and inspiring. The book's foundation in Psalm 119:103 sets the tone for a journey that is not only enriching but also sweet to the soul.
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The chronological order of book authorship adds a unique dimension to this devotional, allowing readers to experience the overarching narrative of the Bible in a cohesive way. Each of the 365 devotions is carefully written to offer encouragement, peace, and strength, making it a valuable companion for daily reflection and connection with God.

The spiritual emphasis throughout the book challenges readers to prioritize seeking God daily, creating a space for a deeper relationship with God and intentional Christian living.

In conclusion, I've found this book to be more than just another devotional that sits on my bookshelf; it's an intentional and transformative journey that guides readers to seek God's presence in their daily lives." —Evelyn

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