By Andrew Williams
Good morning fellow disciples.
Prayer is simply having a conversation with God.
God sometimes sends His prophets and priests to give us clear instructions so that we can defeat our enemies and help those who we lead. Sometimes we need prophets to speak to us because our relationship with God is lacking, so God speaks to us through persons who are in close fellowship with Him.
Today we see God speaking to king Saul through prophet Samuel. This prayerful conversation shows God’s will, king Saul’s disobedience, and Samuel’s obedience to God.
1 Samuel 15:10-11, 17-19, 22-23 NLT states:
Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.”
Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.
And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?”
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Prayer: Father God, help us to be like Prophet Samuel who had an intimate relationship with You where you spoke to Him frequently. Help us to be like Samuel who pleaded on behalf of disobedient king Saul even when You were fed up with him.
Help us to be like Prophet Samuel who submitted to Your will, and proclaimed Your WORD and judgement over a disobedient king.
God we desire deep abiding relationship and fellowship with You. We submit to Your will and to Your way. Use us as your messengers to deliver Your WORD to those who need to hear from You. Amen.