Pastor Joe Miller IV
Recently, we were contacted as a church by a local business representative to pray.
To pray for the health of others. To pray for our government. To pray for the furtherance of the Gospel. To pray for God’s provision.
In last week’s blog, ‘Going to God in Distress,’ we saw David in a situation that was overwhelming and in some ways relatable to us.
“When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.” 2 Samuel 22:5
In David’s situation, it was ungodly men. For you, it might be how to make ends meet, the fear of something you cannot see, or for the mental or physical care of a loved one. Giants come in different forms. They are real and frightening. In the midst of his distress (extreme anxiety, sorrow, pain - can you relate?), David called upon and cried out to God.
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.” 2 Samuel 22:7
God heard and responded.
“He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.” 2 Samuel 22:17-18
God responded to David’s cries and delivered him from a situation that was too much for him to bear and took him to a place of thanksgiving.
“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of my salvation.” 2 Samuel 22:47
But how did God answer the prayers of David? Back in 2 Samuel 21:15, the Bible records David and his servants (friends) were in the middle of war with the Philistines, and David found himself waxing faint or becoming weak. Discouraged and fearful in verse 16, we can see why.
Why are Bible records important?
Romans 15:4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime
were written for our learning, that we through patience
and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
Something takes place that changes David’s circumstances that seemed hopeless. We read in 2 Samuel 21:17 that Abishai, David’s servant and friend, sees David in dire straits and steps in. He doesn’t question David. He doesn’t judge David. He doesn’t say, ‘You’re the king. Do something. Get off your behind and quit whining.’ No. Abishai steps up and does something a true, loving friend would do: he became the answer to David’s prayer.
I understand that not all prayers can be answered by human effort, for example, salvation by God’s grace alone. But I do believe more prayers would be answered if we were in a constant state of obedience.
We must put on the mind of Christ. Visit and read Philippians 2:4-8.
We must put on the example of Christ. Visit and read John 13:13-15.
We must put on the love of Christ. Visit and read John 13:34,35 and John 15:12,13.
Let us, as saved servants, open our hearts and eyes and be obedient to our calling. To be used by God and to become the avenue by which God responds to hurting people crying out to Him.
Something interesting took place also at the beginning of 2 Samuel 21:18, “And it came to pass after this.” When Abishai slew the Philistine a verse earlier, others stepped up and slew the giants that had been a threat to David, ultimately answering David’s prayers to God.
What is the application to all of this? Like a wise man once said, “Make a difference to the Glory of God.”