Tag: in Jesus’ name

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Wisdom Prayer

The Witch At En-dor

The Witch At En-dor

 

In 1 Samuel 27, we learn David fled Saul, and David and his men went to live with the Philistines.

It is during this time that the Philistines decide to amass an army against Israel.

Because the Lord had cut off communication with Saul, Saul was unable to get advice about how to fight this opposing army. That is when Saul decided it best to consult a medium.

God forbade communicating the dead and other practices.

Even though Saul, himself, had banned mediums and the necromancers. Those are people who use witchcraft and sorcery. Saul goes to a witch and she brings to life the dead prophet, Samuel.

It is here that Saul learns his fate. 1 Samuel 28:18-19 (ESV) has part of the message Saul through the medium gives Saul.

“Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

There are lessons here.

Do not be tempted to consult a fortune teller.

Leave the area if others ask you to play with a Ouija board.

If you have used a fortune teller or a Ouija board, ask God’s forgiveness and turn away from these practices. Trust God!

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Wisdom Prayer

How Should You Act Toward Others?

How Should We Act Toward Others?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are in a position to do harm, yet do not. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In 1 Samuel 26 we learn that David is once again pursued by King Saul and three thousand of his chosen men.

David goes on a mission to infiltrate Saul’s camp at night. Everyone in Saul’s camp was asleep, and the Lord had made sure they would not wake up.

David got close enough to kill the King, but David would not kill God’s anointed.

Instead, he takes the king’s spear and a jar of water that had been near Saul’s head.

Once safe on the side of his own camp, David calls out and had a conversation with Abner, the head of Saul’s army, and King Saul.

In 1 Samuel 26:22-25 we join in toward the end of the conversation with King Saul.

“And David answered and said, ‘Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.’ Then Saul said to David, Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.’ So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.”

King Saul and David appear to reconcile, at least for now.

David had the opportunity to kill Saul this second time, yet he refrained.

If given an opportunity to retaliate against an opponent, would you be willing to forgo returning evil for evil?

Take time to reflect on how David’s actions offer a model for how we can act toward others.

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Wisdom Prayer

“Vengeance is Mine”

“Vengeance is Mine”

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who don’t take matters into their own hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

David was bent on retaliating against Nabal because he rudely rejected David’s emissaries even though they brought a message of peace.

Abigail, hearing that her husband had behaved badly, went out to meet David and apologize. Her apology was accepted, and this prevented David from killing Nabal.

The Lord says the following in Deuteronomy 32:35 (ESV)

“’Vengeance is mine, and recompense,[a]
for the time when their foot shall slip;
for the day of their calamity is at hand,
and their doom comes swiftly.’”

1 Samuel 25:36-39 (ESV) explains what happened to Nabal and Abigail.

“And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And about ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, ‘Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The Lord has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head.’ Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife.”

David acknowledged that God was responsible for avenging Nabal’s insult.

Will you to show restraint and allow the Lord to carry out his vengeance?

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Wisdom Prayer

Rejoice in Suffering?

Rejoice in Suffering?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are suffering. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In both our physical or emotional suffering, God is with us. How can it be that Paul links suffering to hope? Romans 5:2-4 (ESV) says:

“Through him (Jesus) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Follow the logic: If a person suffers, they have to endure much. Endurance has the idea of being able to carry on even when things in life are difficult.

Paul says that during the process of enduring one is building character.

In the end, the character in turn produces hope. Don’t give up in the face of suffering. Have hope in life everlasting! Let me know what you think.

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Wisdom Prayer

Rude People!

Rude People!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who encounter rude people. In Jesus’ name, amen.

David learns of a wealthy man with three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. His name was Nabal. His wife’s name was Abigail. In the early verses of 1 Samuel 25 we learn that David had protected some of Nabal’s shepherds.

In 1 Samuel 25:5-8 (ESV) we learn that David made a request of Nabal.

“So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, ‘Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’”

In 1 Samuel 25:9-12 we learn of Nabal’s response.

“When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. And Nabal answered David’s servants, ‘Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?’ So David’s young men turned away and came back and told him all this.”

David was mad, and he told his men to prepare for battle.

Yet, when Abigail heard of her husband’s disrespect, she quickly packed food, including 200 loves, raisins, and wine, and rode out to intercept David.

David accepts her gesture, and he does not retaliate against Nabal. David is thankful for Abigail’s intervention or he would have blood on his hands.

When you encounter rude people, how should you respond?

Fortunately, Abigail intervened or David might have killed Nabal.

Remember. When you are offended, ask God for a course of action, and trust him for the outcome.

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Wisdom Prayer

Honor the Legacy of Believers!

Honor the Legacy of Believers!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who honor the legacy of believers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The stories told in the book of 1 Samuel are epic in proportion.

1 Samuel chapter one tells us Hanna prayed for a child, and the Prophet Eli thought she was drunk.

When she conceived, and the baby was born, she wanted to honor God, so she took her son, Samuel, and dedicated him to the Lord’s service.

When the people of Israel demanded a King, God used Samuel to identify and install Israel’s first king, King Saul. There were even military victories God orchestrated.

After Saul’s fall from grace, Samuel looked for and found Jesse’s youngest son, David, and anointed him as the future king.

At the end of 1 Samuel 25:1 (ESV) we read what happened to Samuel.

“Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.”

Samuel left quite a legacy, and the people of Israel gathered together to honor him.

People important to us are all around. Do not take them for granted.

I encourage you to take time to honor the legacy they have left. Don’t wait! Thank them now.

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