1st Samuel 12:7. “Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and your fathers.”
ALL THE RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF THE LORD. Stop and listen! Quit what you are doing – This is more important than to harvest a crop.
Consider carefully the choice you have made – There are consequences for your choices that will not stop.
Consider what God has done for you in the past – And think carefully before you turn your back on Him. He is the One caring for you from the first to the last – But He will let you suffer the consequences of sin.
It is His intention you turn from your ways And return to find mercy when your sin is confessed. But it is a righteous act when you ignore what God says, To allow you to suffer instead of by Him being blessed.
It is part of our work to intercede for you – And this we will do anxiously looking for change. But understand this is a righteous act it is true – When God visits your life with affliction and pain.
He is seeking your best but you have chosen the worst, His righteous acts are allowed to turn away from sin. Those things you have wanted are like bubbles that burst – The righteous acts of God are so you will return to Him.
“Father God, this is a prayer of intercession for those who have turned to sin. You know their names. I am not writing them here, but please, do what is needed for they seem to be going away farther and faster. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
1st Samuel.12:22-23. “For the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.”
HIS PEOPLE. His people? They’re the ones who took the ark of God to war when they went out to fight in their own strength. His people? When the ark was taken by the enemies of the Lord, they ran. His people? For months they got used to the presence of God not being among them. The ark was with the Philistines. His people? When miraculously the Lord brought the ark back to them, curiosity for the forbidden made them look inside - and die. His people? They lamented for 20 years and made half-hearted responses to return to the Lord. His people? Finally, a victory or two and some peace for awhile. His people? Wanting a king instead of the Lord who had led and delivered them? His people? That’s what the new king will call them – he’ll claim them for his people. His people? Back to their old ways of refusing to obey the voice of the man who speaks for God. His people? Wanting to be like all the people around who don’t know the Lord: copycats, not willing to take responsibility for their own actions. “We want a king to lead us;” Dissatisfied with the Lord who for generations had kept all His word and promises. His people? Shouting with voices loud, “God save the king!” “Let the king live!” What about your God? His people? Overjoyed now that they had a handsome man to look at instead of an unseen God who proved Himself over and over. His people? Standing, in time of the wheat harvest, in terror and shaking fear as the rain poured down and the thunder crashed. His people? Saying after the fact, “We have sinned. Pray for us that we do not die.” Why not ask your king?
Mistakes and all – He will not forsake them. Weakness and fear – He will not forsake them. No, they are not great, they are despised, they are arrogant and self-centered, they are alone among all that is around them, they are misunderstood, mischievous and willful. But they are His people, and I must pray for them. I will sin if I don’t. That’s all I can do - right? After all, the Lord will have to step in to recover them, but I will certainly pray for them and leave the rest up to the Lord. But no, there is more. The one who prays also has to teach them the “good and right way.” They have to learn again and again. Someone has to teach them. Why me? Because I am the one who cares enough to pray for them. God placed that interest in them, in me. The responsibility is mine. I can blame no one else. His people are my people. I must do as He would do.
“O holy and righteous God; In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray for these people. They are not perfect and neither am I. They are not the best as far as the world sees them and neither am I. But I pray that they will turn wholeheartedly to You, and so must I. I pray that they will get fresh vision of who You are and who they are as Your people, and so might I. I pray that they, and I, will get teaching that will produce change and challenge; grace and grit; faith and foresight; vision and vitality; courage and commitment; dignity and devotion that You will be glorified among the nations. Amen.”