Wednesday, March 13, 2013

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A FERVENT SPIRIT

Suggested Reading: 1 Samuel 1

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

"Shiloh" is referred to in 1 Samuel 1:3. Its ancient ruins are in this hill area where an Israeli settlement is now.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 1:10

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.

Today we begin 1st and 2nd Samuel. These books tell us of the life and times of Samuel, Judge, prophet, and Priest. It was Samuel who appointed the first two Kings of Israel, Saul and David.
The birth of Samuel is a miracle of God. His mother, Hannah, was childless. Like Sarah before her, she experienced intense sorrow because of her inability to conceive. She took her anguish to God again and again, so much so that Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk. God intervened for her and for His long-term plan to raise up a mighty man of God. Let us remember that “fervent effectual prayer avails much”(James 5:16). God does not violate human free will, therefore the high level of fervency is a sure sign that our wills are surrendered to God’s will. Hannah and Samuel teach us that God responds directly in proportion to the level of our faith and fervency in prayer.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I pray, as Your disciples asked You, “Lord increase our (my) faith!” Your response to this request called for some “fervent” action on the part of the “learners” from You. Please grant me the grace to put into practice Your means of increasing my faith (read Luke 17:1-10).

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve just gone back to my blog from last September when I did a paragraph on Luke 17. Understanding Jesus’ answer to the “increase our faith” petition can teach us much. I thought it was worth repeating, and I need the reminder regularly (here is a link back to that blog posting).

Eli, the priest, thought Hannah was drunk. I’ve seen drunken people, particularly as a Pastor. I’ve never been drunk with an alcoholic substance, and I don’t intend to ever find out what it is like. However, I’m sure I’ve had the symptoms from time to time in the anguish of strong intercessory prayer. I’ve been overcome with powerful emotions as I have identified with the crushing hurts of humanity. This is good! This kind of prayer “avails much.” Jesus, Himself, while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, “being in anguish, prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:44). The result was that in His humanity He received the strength to endure the cross. Hallelujah!

Yours to help us all learn and practice strong intercession,

David

This is in the area of the Garden of Gethsemane, beside the present day Church of All Nations, on the Mount of Olives.

16 thoughts on “Wednesday, March 13, 2013”

  1. Lately, I have had to remind myself to pray more as I seem to have been in a bit of a slump. When I do pray in intersession for family and others, I feel more at peace, especially over things which I have no control over. Praying for that which I have no control of, could keep me praying all day! It is assuring to know our Lord listens and interceedes for us in His omnipotence, grace and knowledge. Thank you David! Beautifully colourful pictures, which link so well into our readings! Have a great day to all!

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    • I think we all can relate to such ‘dry’ times David. I know I sure can. And I know when I have not spent time with the Lord as my day just does not go right. It is like a dark cloud hovering over me.
      I am so thankful the Lord waits for me/us to come to Him. He is so gracious and faithful, so loving and welcoming, and will revive us again from the living springs…the dry spell over for another time. 🙂
      I love this lesson from Hannah about persevering in prayer even when the answer is delayed and we grow weary and wonder if we are even being heard. Waiting is hard.

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  2. I love this blog and photos, David as I have been there in intercession and place as well. When we get older or unwell we think we do not have the strength, but the Holy Spirit can take over and we can pray in the Holy Spirit which is good. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ough: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26). May the Lord bless your day everyone.

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  3. Fervent prayer and faith in God are great reminders, as Hannah prayed in exaltation to the Lord in 2 Judges 1-10 for the blessing of her son, Samuel.

    But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11: 6 (NKJV)

    God’s continuous blessings to all, today.

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  4. Hi David, Prayer is a wonderful privilege we have to come and ask our Lord to undertake and fix whatever our petition is l notice that timing has a lot to do with answered prayer. Hannah went up year after year in the same state of anguish ,that she still had not become pregnant, yet that particular year, her prayer for a child was granted.l also notice that Eli came and after the mis-understanding, blessed her prayer and the prayer became a prayer of agreement with the high priest. It would seem that there are times and seasons and purposes for what seems to us like delay but actually fall into the purposes and plans of God.

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  6. Thank you ,David . Your blog is something I look forward to every morning. You have been such blessing to so many. I’ve been watching Huntley Street for many years and have laughed and cried along the interviewees and now can tune in on my computer. God bless you and strenghten you in this season of ill health.

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  7. Would you please pray, David and fellow bloggers for my husband, Bill. He had a heart attack on Monday and will be taken by ambulance tomorrow morning from the Red Deer hospital to Edmonton for an angiogram. I have a little bit of catching up to do with the blog now which we both really enjoy very much!!

    Reply ↓

    • I agree in prayer with you Giisela and fellow bloggers for entrusting Bill into the loving and healing hands of our Heavenly Father. He is faithful and He cares for us. (1Peter 5:7). In the powerful name of Jesus, we pray.

      Reply ↓

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