Tag: pray for wisdom

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Wisdom Prayer

Serving the Lord!

Serving the Lord!

Dear Lord, I pray for those who have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Chapter twelve of First Samuel is identified as “Samuel’s Farewell Address.”

Samuel asks the people of Israel several questions. In 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (ESV) the answers to these questions will either affirm or undermine Samuel’s credibility.

“And Samuel said to all Israel, ‘Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me[a] and I will restore it to you.’ They said, ‘You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man’s hand.’ And he said to them, ‘The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.’ And they said, ‘He is witness.’”

The people did not find Samuel guilty of any wrongful act. Therefore, Samuel was affirmed as honest before the people and before God.

Not everyone who asked the kinds of questions Samuel asked would be without fault.

God gives us grace and permission to confess our sins when we fall short. If we confess, we will be cleansed from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9).

If there is something you need to confess, confess now.

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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

Life and Death Negotiations!

Life and Death Negotiations!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those involved in life and death negotiations. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The people of Israel were besieged by the Ammonites. The Ammonite leader was asked to make a treaty, but he gave an unrealistic ultimatum.

In 1 Samuel 11:1-4 (ESV) we learn what Nahash the Ammonite wanted in exchange for the treaty.

“When Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud.”

What would you do in such a negotiation?

Not only is the Ammonite wanting to gouge out the right eyes of the negotiators, he makes it clear he wants to bring disgrace upon all Israel.

When Saul hears of this, what will be his response?

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Wisdom Prayer

Mighty Men of Valor!

Mighty Men of Valor!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for mighty men of valor whose hearts God has touched. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After being named the king, men who felt called to serve Saul as the new king, went with him.

To counterbalance the good men, there were also detractors.

1 Samuel 10:25-27 (ESV) tells what happened after the king was selected, and those assembled were sent home.

“Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. But some worthless fellows said, ‘How can this man save us?’ And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.”

Have you become a mighty man or woman of valor God has called into the service of others? Perhaps you too have detractors.

Be encouraged. Stay loyal in the face of adversity.

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Wisdom Prayer

Chosen to Serve!

Chosen to Serve!

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

Samuel knew the people of Israel wanted a king instead serving and worshiping God. Samuel called the people of Israel to assemble. While everyone watched, God did a miracle by choosing the first King of Israel. Samuel had told Saul he was to be king. Then God confirmed it in front of everyone.

1 Samuel 10:17-24 (ESV) tells about the events of the day, and what happened to Saul.

“Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. And he said to the people of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.’

“Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, ‘Is there a man still to come?’ and the Lord said, ‘Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.’ Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’”

God gave the people of Israel what they asked.

Where are you in your relationship with God? Has anything become more important?

Wherever you are with your walk with God, rededicate your life to him.

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Wisdom Prayer

Samuel Anoints Saul!

Samuel Anoints Saul!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who the Spirit of the Lord rushes upon, and who are turned into a new creation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Until Saul met Samuel, Saul was living a relatively normal life. The encounter changed everything. Using Samuel’s actions and prophesy, God starts Saul’s transformation. We learn about these things in 1 Samuel 10:1-16 (ESV).

“Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, ‘What shall I do about my son?’ Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.’

“When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, ‘What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?’ And a man of the place answered, ‘And who is their father?’ Therefore it became a proverb, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets? When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.

“Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, Where did you go? And he said, ‘To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.’ And Saul’s uncle said, ‘Please tell me what Samuel said to you.’ And Saul said to his uncle, ‘He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.’ But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.”

We see Saul transitioning from a man into “another man,” and a man God gave “another heart.” Wouldn’t you like to experience this type of transformation? People who accept Jesus into their hearts are said to be “Born Again.”

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