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Chapter Twelve (ESV)
18 So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”
REFLECTION:
- Samuel’s accusation of the people (vv6-15) combined with the awesome sign of thunder and rain in the dry season prompted the people to confess their sin of requesting a king. They begged Samuel’s intercession for them.
- Samuel seems to say (v23) failing to pray for people would warrant it a sin. His demonstrated that God’s people have double duties: (1) to pray fervently for others (Eph 6:18, (2) to teach others God’s way (2 Tim 2:2). Samuel may not agree with the people’s desire for a king, but he assured them that he will continue to pray for them and to teach them. We may have different opinions with the others, but we shouldn’t stop praying for them.
- Today we would call Samuel a “prayer warrior”. What gifts and qualities does a person who prays continuously for other people possess? Do I have them?
PRAYER:
Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind a person that has been in my mind. How much have I thought of him/her? How much prayer have I offered on his/her behalf?
Determine before the Lord to pray for this person once a day for the whole week. Give him/her a call or an email to see how he/she is doing.
