Tag: King

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Wisdom Prayer

Defend the Honor!

Defend the Honor!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who assemble to defend the honor of a nation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When enemies came against Israel, there were victories and defeats.

This time, when word of what the Ammonite wants reaches Saul, Saul’s reaction will change the people of Israel and usher in a new era.

1 Samuel 11:5-15 (ESV) tells how Saul helped the people of Israel move from fear and weeping to unity.

“Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, ‘Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!’ Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said to the messengers who had come, ‘Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’ ’ When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. Therefore the men of Jabesh said, ‘Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.’ And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

“Then the people said to Samuel, ‘Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.’ But Saul said, ‘Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.’ Then Samuel said to the people, ‘Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.’ So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.”

In summary, Saul took action, the people acted in unity, a victory was won, Samuel told the people to go to Gilgal, Saul became king, the Lord was given offerings, and there was rejoicing.

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Wisdom Prayer

Making Wise Decisions!

Making Wise Decisions!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ask God to help them make wise decisions.

Not everyone asks God to guide their steps before making important decisions.

Such was the case for the people of Israel when they asked for a king. After hearing how burdensome a king would be for Israel (1 Samuel 8:11-18), were the people still inclined to want a king?

1 Samuel 8:19-22 (ESV) provides the answer.

“But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, ‘No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.’ Samuel then said to the men of Israel, ‘Go every man to his city.’”

Even though Samuel was against the people of Israel having a king, Samuel heard God’s voice directing him to “make them a king.” Samuel was obedient to the Lord.

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Wisdom Prayer

What Kind of King?

What Kind of King?

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

Some leaders are compassionate. Others are not so caring. One thing is sure. The elders of Israel wanted a King. What kind would the King of Israel be?

1 Samuel 8:11-18 (ESV) forecasts what the future king would be like.

“So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him. He said, ‘These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.’”

After hearing what a future king would be like, some might think twice about having a king.

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Wisdom Prayer

Be Careful What You Ask For!

Be Careful What You Ask For!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for all those who seek your face about what to ask for their future. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Samuel’s sons were not following God. Scriptures tells us in 1 Samuel 8:3 that they were taking bribes. In 1 Samuel 8:4-5 (ESV), we learn what the elders, the representatives of the people, want.

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, ‘Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.’”

Learn how Samuel felt in 1 Samuel 8:6-9 (ESV).

“But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.’”

The people of Israel were about to be warned.

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Wisdom Prayer

He Comes in the Name of the Lord?

He Comes in the Name of the Lord?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Psalm 118:26 (ESV) says,

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.”

The words in the first part of the verse appear several times in the New Testament. Palm Sunday the phrase was used together with shouts of “Hosanna.” (See Matthew 21:9 and Mark 11:9).

Luke 19:38 (ESV) says,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

John 12:13 and Luke 13:35 also use Psalm 118:26.

Imagine being on the road into Jerusalem when Jesus is welcomed by the crowds shouting the words of Psalm 118:26. Join with them now, and say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

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Wisdom Prayer

King of all the Earth?

King of all the Earth?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who declare God is the king of all the earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When a person performs well, bosses and colleagues can praise him or her for their success. When a student writes well, he or she may receive a top “A” grade. Then the teacher may write an affirming note praising the student on paper, or praise the student from the front of class.

Psalm 47:5-7 is about praising God:

“God has gone up with a shout,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing praises with a psalm!”

This psalm acknowledges God with praise. Do you do the same? Why not take a moment. Have a favorite praise song? Sing the song. Hum the song. Look it up on YouTube. Watch and listen. Praise God.

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