Today we have a new Format.
Introduction
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All this morning’s Scriptures
refer directly or indirectly to prayer. Each one speaks of what was happening
in the respective places in their day. Perhaps all of today’s Scriptures
could be summarised in David’s words: 2 (O) You (who) answer
our prayers. All of us must come to You. 3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, You forgive them
all.
Psalm 65:2-3 NLT
Prayer is often initiated by
a particular situation; need; thanks-giving; intercession; praise etc. This
is probably because ordinary everyday things are seldom mentioned. If the
Bible included everything 24/7 imagine how many pages it would contain. It
follows that it refers only to the incidents God considers as important for
His people. It is right and proper for you or I to pray for granny’s sore
toe. But it’s highly unlikely that God would include that in His Word!
On the other hand, in special
cases, such as the prayer of Jabez and Asa’s war with the Ethiopians, the
prayer and the outcome are both mentioned.
We have a similar situation
in South Africa. It’s unlikely that we will ever know how many people of all
nationalities and ethnic groups were praying for a peaceful election and
transfer of power in 1994. Many people were very frightened of what might
happen. Some went as far as to be out of the country over that period. Those
of us who were in South Africa at the time witnessed an answer to prayer in a
profound way. There was hardly any inter-racial conflict at all. For His
grace to allow this to happen, still remains one of the greatest miracles in
South Africa in the 20th Century.
Phyllida and I were living in
Worcester in the Western Cape at that time. Our perception was that all would
be well, so we were not overly concerned. What we witnessed was
extraordinary. People came together peacefully and joyfully. The atmosphere
was not quite like a carnival. But it was very close to it. People who had
been separated for years came together rejoicing! I’ll never forget those
three days.
Back then I composed a poem
entitled, “A Prayer for South Africa”. It was my way of asking the Lord for a
peaceful transition. The problems were stated and likened to the conditions
in and around Jerusalem ±2000 years previously
There is nothing special in
the poem that prompted the hand of God to bless our land. It must have been
one prayer among millions! It was possibly a tiny contribution to the prayers
of supplication of God’s people to Him. Small or large is not the issue;
sufficient to say God responded to the need of our nation.
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Daily
Light Evening Scriptures
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14 The LORD
says, "I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust
in My name. 15 When they call on Me, I
will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honour them.
Psalm 91:14-15 NLT
10 He (Jabez) was the one who prayed to the God of Israel,
"Oh, that You would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me
in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!" And God
granted him his request.
1 Chron 4:10 NLT
7 That night
God appeared to Solomon. He said to him, "Ask
for anything you want me to give you." 8 Solomon answered God, "You were very kind
to my father David. Now you have made me king in his place. 9 LORD
God, let the promise you gave to my father David come true. You have made me
king. My people are like the dust of the earth. They can't be counted. 10
Give me wisdom and knowledge. Then I'll be able
to lead these people. Without your help, who would be able to rule
this great nation of yours?"
2 Chron 1:7-10 NIrV
29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a
breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
1 Kings 4:29 TNIV
11 Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God, "O LORD,
no one but You can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O
LORD our God, for we trust in You alone. It is in Your name that we have come
against this vast horde. O LORD, You are our God;
do not let mere men prevail against You!" 12 So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of
Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled.
2 Chron 14:11-12 NLT
2 (O) You (who) answer our prayers. All of us must come
to You. 3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, You forgive
them all.
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Father, I greet You this morning
And ask You, "What must we do next?"
We've taken to heart Your loud warning
That You are decidedly vexed
With all that You've seen in the nation;
You've watched while the people are robbed
Of all justice. You've seen how inflation
Is stealing from us. Lord, You sobbed
The day that You came to the outskirts
Of Jerusalem town, for You saw
A system of national perverts
Who'd twisted and flouted Your law!
The Romans were really the masters,
Controlling the country by force.
But, the source of Your grief was the pastors,
Who'd led all the people off course.
You saw all the people in prison
Resembling a great flock of sheep,
Aimlessly lacking a vision.
'Twas enough to make even God weep.
Today, there is little distinction
Between all the things that You saw.
Our leaders all lack the conviction
That THEY are what's wrong with our law.
The pastors are all busy fighting
Each other with doctrine and word,
While agitators are inciting
To violence, humanity's herd.
The answer’s not found in uprising,
Nor telling the people, "Revolt!".
Like then, it was really surprising,
You rode into town on a colt!
Jim Strickland
Written Before 1994 SA Election
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