Prayer: Father, You are not moved by much, but this scripture declares that You were moved by prayer for the land of Israel. Justice had been done. Injustice had been paid for with the lives of Saul’s sons. Amen.
Reading: 2 Samuel 21 key: vs. “So they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of his father Kish. They did all of what the king commanded. Afterward, God was moved by prayer for the land.” TLV
Attention: Over the past few years, much conversation about reparations has been mentioned in our country over the issues of slavery which were imposed by our forefathers upon people of color.
An injustice was made by Saul upon the Gibeonites during his reign over Israel. The issue stemmed back to the time of Joshua. The Gibeonites posed as foreign travelers and deceived Joshua. They concocted a plan to deceive Joshua, to spare their lives as they knew that Joshua was deposing and killing all who inhabited the land which God had promised them. We are told in Joshua 9:14 that Joshua “did not seek counsel from Adonai’s mouth.” The deception worked and Joshua made a covenant with them. A covenant which by nature of a covenant, is forever and cannot be changed. Saul had sought to make the Gibeonites extinct.
The text claims the famine got David’s attention. As David sought “the face of Adonai”, “year after year”, God told him why the famine had come upon Israel. It was because Saul had broken the covenant which Joshua struck with the Gibeonites.
David immediately summoned the Gibeonites, inquiring how he could right the wrong, the injustice. The Gibeonites chose not money or reparations but justice against the house of Saul. David had seven sons of Saul hung, sparing only Mephibosheth.
What did David’s actions do? Justice was brought to the Gibeonites and God “was moved by prayer for the land.” The principles are still true today. America has broken its agreements with more people than just the people of color of our nation.
I’m reminded of 2 Chronicles 7: 13-15, where God tells Solomon the exact conditions for forgiveness and healing. “If” the people which are called by His name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek God’s face, and turn from our evil ways, then God promises to hear my prayer and heal my land. Am I willing to believe Him? Am I willing to humble myself and pray? Am I willing to turn from wickedness?
God is willing to do what He promises. From generation to generation.
Action: I choose today to heed the declaration of God to Solomon, to humble myself and pray, and turn from my wicked ways, so that He may bring healing to me and the land on which I live.
Yield: I choose to yield to the commands of Adonai.
Engage: I choose to engage in the process of obedience, forgiveness, and healing.
Relationship: I choose to live in holy, intimate relationship with God.
Prayer: Father, You declare what it takes for me to be forgiven, healed, and have my prayers heard! I humble myself today under Your mighty hand. Forgive my sins of disobedience. Help me turn away from my wicked ways. I pray for the healing of myself, my wife, and the USA. Amen.
Memory Verse: 2 Chronicles 7: 13-15 “If I shut up heaven that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, when My people, 0ver whom My Name is called, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.” TLV
Music Video: Jimmy Owens (TTB Choir)—If My People Will Pray https://youtu.be/gY4RbyYsc5M?si=WLNIl6KmPOIS3G0l
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”