SCRIPTURE:
“They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.”
2 Samuel 21:14
OBSERVATION:
The last sentence in this verse speaks volumes – After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. What “that” is being referred to here?
We see that there was a famine for three years that caused David to seek out The Lord. The answer he received for the famine was Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites. Something needed to be done in order to bring about a resolution. After making things right, God answered their prayers.
APPLICATION:
After that…God answered prayer. That’s such a powerful sentence, but it truly spoke to my heart. When it comes to answered prayer, I believe there are times when our sin or lack of obedience may be hindering The Lord from answering.
Looking back on my walk with Christ over the last 20 years, I remember times when I seemed to be praying what felt like years before The Lord answered. There were times in my marriage where God was asking me to take care of some things and I chose not to. It wasn’t until I actually moved and did what He was asking me to do, did I begin to see those prayers answered.
I must remember that though I pray and wait on God to move and answer, there are things that He may be asking me to do. I must ensure that when He asks me to move, that I do so, understanding that it could be the difference between answered and unanswered prayers.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord when I have chosen not to move when You have asked me to. Thank You Lord for hearing my prayers. May I be obedient to what You have asked of me, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
