Tag: Saul

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Saul’s Life in Jeopardy!

Saul’s Life in Jeopardy!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who need a means of escape. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When Saul became a believer and started to defend Christ, his opponents decided to seek vengeance.

Luke describes what happened in Acts 9:23-25 (ESV):

“When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.”

Saul eluded capture. This incident is reminiscent of what happened in Joshua 2:15 when Rahab helped two spies flee Jericho by rope. In both cases, God provided a means of escape.

Pray for those believers who need to flee to safety.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those whose lives are dramatically changed after encountering Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Paul experienced a complete turnaround. He went from persecuting the church to preaching Christ. It seems the more people challenged Saul, the more God used him to confound his opponents.

Luke tells how God used Saul in Acts 9:20-22 (ESV):

“And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?’ But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”

The people knew of Saul’s reputation. When he became a believer and started to advocate for Jesus, his previous allies became angry.

Are you willing to defend the faith?

George Duffield wrote the song, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Ye Soldiers of the Cross” that begins:

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.”

Is it time for you to stand up for Jesus?

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Me? Help New Believers!

Me? Help New Believers!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those God sends to help new believers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Saul imprisoned believers and was there when Stephen was killed. As despicable as Saul was, God had a plan. After Saul was blinded on the road to Damascus, Ananias, a man who was reluctant to deal with Saul because he knew his reputation, heard from the Lord.

We learn the story in Acts 9:15-19 (ESV):

“But the Lord said to him [Ananias], ‘Go, for he [Saul] is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.”

Even though Ananias was reticent, he was available to be used by God.

Tend to shy away from helping new believers?

Be open and willing to be used by God.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
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!

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
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.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
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.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.