1 Samuel 11-12 Saul's First Victory And Samuel's Goodbye

"The Lord condescended to reach down to their level of unbelief, and He gave them a king ... In His grace, God gave Saul an opportunity to prove himself and consolidate his authority ... The Ammonites were encamped around Jabesh Gilead" and demanded their surrender along with blinding everyone's right eye.  They agreed to give the city a week to find a savior, so sure they were that help would not come.  Saul was plowing his fields when he heard the news.  He was empowered by the Spirit of God and musted an army that saved the city.

Samuel then gathered Israel to review their failure to obey the covenant as he faded from the scene.  He didn't hesitate to remind them that they'd "asked for a king and exchanged the rule of the Lord their King for the leadership of a mere man.  God gave them what they asked for, but Israel lost something in the transaction.  However, all was not lost.  God is never taken by surprise, and He would not desert His people for His name's sake ... Samuel demonstrated the awesome power of the Lord by praying up a storm during the dry season of the wheat harvest ... Samuel was proving to the people that God could do anything for them if they trusted Him and obeyed, but that a mere king was helpless apart from the Lord."

Samuel said something that really spoke to me:  "I will surely not stop prayer for you, because that would be sinning against the Lord." (12;23)  Wow!  How many times have I sinned against God by stopping praying for someone or some thing!

Father, help me to remain diligent in prayer, trusting You to hear and intercede on my behalf.  Keep me mindful of this verse -- that You have called Your people to pray to You and if I fail to do so, I have running counter to Your will, which is disobedience.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford