1 Sam
12:19-25 (ESV) And all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants
to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins
this evil, to ask for ourselves a king." 20 And Samuel said to the people,
"Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from
following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn
aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for
his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for
himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against
the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and
the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and
serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has
done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both
you and your king."
NOTE: 1 Sam 12:23
has always been a favorite verse for me. But having studied Samuel again and
realized that his circuit teaching helped to turn Israel around, I now see
verse 23 in a different light. It wasn't just the teaching, but it was his
unceasing prayer for the people combined with the teaching that made the
difference. I think sometimes I see the key as good teaching and forget that
just as important is the need to pray for the people I teach. In one way, it
would be a sin to think that just good teaching can change hearts. There is a
need for the work of the HS in the hearts of the hearers so that they don't
deceive themselves by just filling up on knowledge without actually applying
truth to their life. Teaching without prayer is marginally effective. Teaching
without application is deceptive. Teaching with prayer is life- and
community-changing.
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