TUESDAY 13 September, 2016

A Prayer of Inquiry

Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lordanswered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” - 2 Samuel 21:1

We have almost come to the end of 2 Samuel. In these concluding words, there was judgeship, given by the Lord concerning the reign of Saul and David. At this time, Israel had endured three years of famine. Once again David inquired of the Lord. He needed to find the reason for the famine.

The Lord answered David. During the end of the Philistine wars, Saul had fought against the Gibeonites (1 Samuel 14:47-48; 52). His aggression had kindled the wrath of God, as there was a sworn oath that existed between them for peace.

The children of Israel, in the Promised Land, were conquering the nations. There came to them, two ragged men with old provisions, as if from a far country. They asked to make a covenant with Israel and to become their servants (Joshua 9:3-6). But they had deceived Israel; they were from Gibeon, a hill city about 5 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Joshua had failed to inquire of the Lord. Israel had sworn, before the Lord, to let them live. Israel had to honor their treaty Joshua 9:14-15 explains:

…but they did not ask counsel of the Lord. So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.

We need to learn to inquire of the Lord when there are problems or important decisions to be made in our lives. God will answer if there is no sin.  Keep your ears open to what the Holy Spirit has to say to you. Be careful before you speak, God expects us to honor our word.

…let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’
~Matthew 5:37~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!