Prayer and Faith, Hope, Love
1Sam 12:23-13:7
Synopsis 1Sam 12:23-13:7 9/11/2018
Samuel completed his address to the assembly. He committed to continuing in prayer for the Israelite nation. Also, he implored the people to fear and serve the Lord with all their hearts. And finally, he reminded them that if they continued to do evil, both they and their king would be swept away.
Saul began the process of maintaining a standing army with three thousand men. These were split between himself and Jonathan. The standing Israelite forces were concentrated around the tent of meeting located at Bethel and Saul’s hometown of Gibeah.
At some point Jonathan used the forces to strike the Philistine garrison near Gibeah. After this, both the Israelites and the Philistines massed forces. However, as the Israelites began to recognize the size of the Philistine forces, they became concerned. Many crossed the Jordan and slipped into Gad and Gilead – away from the battlefield.
The Prayers of Samuel
Samuel declared to the people that it would be a sin against God if he did not pray on behalf of the people. For him, to not pray was an act of faithlessness. For him, to not pray was a sin.
Samuel heard God’s voice. From his youth, people recognized that when he prophesied, his prophecies always came true. And when he revealed something, his revealings always proved to be accurate.
Samuel’s role was to pray. He served as a priest. And he offered sacrifices. So maybe one question is; was failing to pray a sin in general or only because he served as a priest?
Prayer and Faith, Hope, Love
Here’s another way of looking at it. Moses and the prophets taught two great commandments concerning personal responsibility. The first is to love God. And the second is to love my neighbor. Jesus definitively taught the same thing. So then, could I love another without praying for them? Is that possible?
It’s not a word to burden myself. (Like I need one more thing to do.) It’s just the observation that love really begins with prayer. Interceding to God for the benefit of another is faith, hope and love in a single moment of action.
“With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones” Eph 6:18
