Wednesday, March 13, 2019

A FERVENT SPIRIT

Today’s 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 now stands.

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 obedience 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 one of my previous blogs 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’s 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.

7 thoughts on “Wednesday, March 13, 2019

  1. Just feeling the roots of those trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, that knew the depths of Jesus’ prayer in anguish and intensity. No greater than to be in deep love with You, Lord, through our prayers, by which our faith abounds immensely. Such wonderful scripture, message and prayer, today. We love You, Lord, God–our risen King and ever living hope. Wishing you, beautiful saints, a blessed day. For oh, how He loves us, so!!!

    “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’S name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3 KJV

    Do It Again, with lyrics, Elevation Worship
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B_lnQIITxU

  2. Relate to these thoughts and experiences of Hannah and David and have seen results all glory to OUR LORD! Do it again Lord as the song says. Thanks for posting Beverlee. Thinking of my niece whose delivering around this time. Please say a prayer for her. Is sunny out there again today. Blessings!

  3. TY Lord for this day and we pray for Ger’s niece that she have a good healthy baby; bless Ger’s family; bless their celebrations for this birth,
    Lord we pray for Pastor’s daughter who is also ready to give birth to her child;we pray in Jesus Name that all will go well
    We praise and Thank the Lord for healing Pastor’s wife from a bug in her stomach which she had for years, apparently from well water many years ago, she is now in very good health and very happy.
    now we pray for her brother who has the same health issues but the meds don’t work on him, so Lord we come asking for healing for this brother.
    Our Father Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thine Name, Thy Kingdom come, ….amen amen amen

  4. Thank you Sah and we pray for the Pastor’s daughter as well in her delivery and also for this brother for his health in Jesus name. Amen!

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