"2 Samuel 20:1-21:22
Passionate prayer
The battles in David’s life never seem to come to an end. In today’s passage we see two further battles.
First, there is ‘a troublemaker named Sheba’ (20:1). The people of Israel seem extremely fickle: ‘All the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba’ (v.2). The Lord gave David victory over Sheba but immediately there is another battle around the corner.
There was a famine for three consecutive years (21:1a). As the nation faced disaster, ‘David sought the face of the Lord’ (v.1b). Sometimes it takes a real disaster to get us on our knees. God spoke to him as he prayed.
He held Israel to the promise that was made to the Gibeonites (see Joshua 9). In spite of the promise, Saul had tried to annihilate them, but the oaths that are made to God are very important and cannot be broken lightly. (The most common oaths today are in the marriage service and oaths in court.) Only after David had put things right and honoured the oath made to God did God answer prayer on behalf of the land (2 Samuel 21:14).
Lord, we seek your face on behalf of our nation. Have mercy upon us. Help us to be a nation that honours you with faithfulness to our marriage vows and truthfulness in our law courts. Lord, would you once again answer prayer on behalf of the land. May our nation be turned back to you. May your name be honoured. May your kingdom come."
1. May Your Kingdom come. Indeed, thank You Lord for Your promises.
2. Thank You for new friendships and for by grace, You have allowed these new friends to join us in church.
3. Thank You for more bonding time and roaming around.
