Warriors Arise: November 19, 2020
1 Samuel 30:7-8 (NKJV) Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
I do not like it when my children call my name, I turn to them, acknowledge their summons so they can continue and then they decide not to ask whatever they were going to ask. It can be exasperating. It wasn't like I was just sitting there waiting for someone to talk to me, I am generally in the middle of teaching a school lesson, writing my blog, talking with Scott...etc. Now, sometimes they forget, because years ago we learned we needed to teach our children to respect when someone is engaged in a project or conversation. They could come up and stand beside us or in our view, getting eye contact with us. They were to wait until we gave them the opportunity to speak. If we were out in public they may have to wait a little longer, because sometimes the person I am conversing with needs to finish what they are sharing. There just wasn't a good opportunity to politely interrupt them.
David has summoned the priest to bring the ephod. David inquires of the Lord and He responds. God gives a clear answer! When you talk to God do you expect Him to respond? Do you expect to understand what He is saying to you?
This would require that we settle our mind and truly give God our attention. We train our mind to focus on God when we ask and stop talking so we can hear His answer. I had to learn this. There were several things I did not understand about being a good communicator with God. I would pray down my prayer list. I would get personal and share details about what was going on in my life. Many times I don't think I even asked for His counsel. I just figured He would do something if He thought I couldn't handle the situation; and besides, He knows all so He really didn't need to me share with Him. If He felt so impressed He could intervene at any time, but I learned I was not being very respectful.
I tend to be perceive what needs to be done in a situation. For instance, if someone wants to sit in the stands and they might be coming down the aisle where I am sitting. I will make room before we even make eye contact. I already have a plan for how they are going to pass before they get there. If someone needs help getting their coat on, l reach down and grab the other side to help them get it on. If someone has their hands full and needs to have a door opened, I quicken my step and get the door opened before they get there. All of this is good. But at times I have transferred this expectation to God. Since He knows all things, if He thought I needed the help He would just pitch in and help me out. There are scores of times when God does this. However, when it comes to respecting God, I need to ask for His counsel. I need to ask for His intervention. The main reason is because by asking God, when He intervenes, I know He did it. When I know He did it, then I will be in a position to thank Him and who doesn't liked to be thanked. Even though we may not want a big fuss to be made over what we have done for someone, a simple thank you is sufficient to be respectful. If God were to give me advice without me asking I would probably think it was my own idea. Then I would take credit for something God told me would work. The only part I played was expediting what He said would work. He gave me the counsel needed for things to work to their best potential.
Another communication point to learn is when you ask a question, stop talking. I think you will find that you respond one of two ways. When you have asked you will get up and end your time with God or you will keep talking, giving more detail or moving on to the next situation in your life. Do you wait for God to respond? David got his answer pretty fast. Do you expect God to answer that quickly? Do you keep silent for a moment or two before sharing the next concern on your heart?
God answered David almost immediately. One could argue, well that was back then. My response would be, why do you think God would change the way He speaks to us today? So the questions remain, "Do you expect God to answer you? Do you give Him a moment to speak? Do you pause before sharing your next are of concern?"
Father, You are amazing! You honor us by listening to our concerns and You anticipate when we will ask for Your counsel. You always give us the best direction. What You say will bring us the best outcome in a situation. I am so thankful You are my God and Your love for me is astounding. I pray You would help me to know what question I need to ask. I do not want to ask questions that will not give You the opportunity to address the situation. I want my questions to be clear so You can clearly speak to me. I ask for Your help as I settle my mind when I talk with You. I pray my mind would be focused on You and hearing what You have to say. You know each situation and you patiently wait for me to silence my voice and my mind so I can hear what You will say. I trust what You have to say. I trust You are for me and want what is best for me. I ask for Your help as I learn to pause and wait for Your counsel before I begin the next subject of concern. I want to honor You by giving You time to respond and for my mind to be focused on You. I want my mind to comprehend accurately what You are telling me. I pray for Your truth to penetrate my thoughts. I pray my heart would be for justice and kindness. I pray my actions would honor You and bring honor to You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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