1 Samuel 1-5 March 13, 2009
Posted by Sparky in 1 Samuel, History.Tags: 1 Samuel, blessing, Hannah, History, prayer
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Scripture:
1 Samuel 1:19-20
Early the next morning they arose and worshipped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.”
Observation:
The phrase “and the LORD remembered him / her / them” occurs several times in Scripture, and I particularly love it here. It is not supposed to indicate that God had forgotten Hannah and was suddenly reminded – not really possible for an all-knowing God. The way I like to ‘translate’ it is something like “God decided to bless him / her / them” – and it tends to happen after that person or people have spent time pouring their heart out to God in prayer or worship. I love Hannah’s story as a whole – her selflessness, her boldness, and the way God blessed her – but this verse particularly stood out to me today.
Application:
I’ve been reading Bill Hybels’ book “Too Busy Not To Pray” recently, which has convicted me about how I pray, and reading this today has reinforced this. I don’t pray fervently or for extended periods of time; I get very distracted and though I might say something to God each day, it never feels like it’s anything very meaningful. But I want to be in the position Hannah finds herself in here, where she can see concrete results from her prayer – the existence of her son Samuel is direct proof that God heard and listened to her prayer. Guess I need to follow her example and pour my heart out to God a bit more.
Prayer:
Lord, please help me revitalise my prayer life over the next few weeks and months. Please don’t let me fall into the trap of starting unsustainable habits for the sake of it, but lead me to a place where I can make realistic changes to my prayer life, that bring me closer to you and your presence.
1 Samuel 25-31 April 1, 2008
Posted by Sparky in 1 Samuel, History.Tags: 1 Samuel, David, Saul, strength in the LORD, troubles, Ziklag
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Scripture:
Selected verses:
30:6 – “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.”
Observation:
There are two interweaving stories in these chapters. Here’s a summary: David, accompanied by a large band of followers, is on the run from Saul, and he takes refuge in a Philistine city. When King Saul learns that’s where he is, he leaves him alone, and David and his band are given the city of Ziklag to live in. Meanwhile, the Philistine army amasses against Israel, and Saul gets scared. He gets so scared that he consults a medium to enquire of Samuel’s ghost what to do. Stupid move, as he doesn’t get the answer he wants; the LORD is against him. David and his followers march out to fight with the Philistines against the Israelites, but the Philistine commanders send him back to Ziklag, which has been sacked by marauding Amalekites, and all the families of David’s men have been carried off. After his men nearly turn on him, they go after the Amalekites and recover everything; David acts honourably throughout. Finally, the focus shifts back to Saul, who kills himself in the midst of battle with the Philistines.
The verse I have selected above details two responses to an awful situation – David’s men have had their home destroyed, and everything they cared about has gone. They respond in a totally understandable way. But David responds in the best way.
Application:
Some simple thoughts. When it seems as though our whole lives have been pulled out from under our feet, how do we respond? It makes total sense to give up and become bitter about what has gone wrong, and in many ways this is the natural response. But David, man of the Spirit, chooses a different path – he finds strength in God, even in the midst of his trouble. He has not denied the reality of the situation – two verses earlier he weeps with his men over the fate of their city. But he knows where strength can be found, and makes a choice to take everything he is feeling to the LORD.
Prayer:
Lord, I bring you my trouble, stress and feelings of unfairness. I know that you love me, and I know that you are good. I trust you to bring resolution to the things that trouble my spirit. Amen.
