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THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
plan for periods of prayer (Joel. 2:16, 17). “ Gather the people, sanctify the con gregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts;, let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy peo ple, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them; wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” Samuel poured out water, perhaps to signify the utter helplessness of Israel (2 Sam. 14:14). So would they pour out their hearts in prayer unto God. So would they acknowledge their weak ness and emptiness. So had they been unstable as water. So would they de clare allegiance to Jehovah. They fasted,-—a confession of humil ity and preparation for God’s blessing (2 Chron. 7:14). They acknowledged their sin. Fasting, although enjoined but once a year as a legal provision, was allowed by Moses on other occa sions. Fasting is a good preparation for prayer.4 It aids in bringing the body into subjection. They confessed their sins publicly and mutually (1 Ki. 8:47, 49). The enemy was aroused and commenced to gather in force. “ Cease not to pray for us” they cried to Samuel (Isa. 62:6, 7). The devil never yields without a fight. Here is an armed foe and a weaponless people. Samuel cried unto God for them. He made a burnt offering’. The people belonged unto God. The blood testified to God of the people’s faith. All intercession is based upon blood. He who took His own blood offering into the heavenly Holy of holies, inter cedes for us. So Moses prayed for Israel at Rephi- dim. So Elijah prayed at Carmel and
Samuel is th^ Lord’s leader and prophet and he heads the list of the prophets, Acts 3:24. “ Yea,'and all the prophets from Sam uel, and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.” His message to Israel was like that of Isaiah (Is. 55:7). “ Put away your idols” (Josh. 24:14- 23). “ Prepare your hearts unto the Lord” (Job 11:13, 14). “ Serve the Lord only”, (Deut. 10:20). This is God’s order for the back slider. Come home, as did the Prodi gal, to the Father’s house. Put away the idols,— anything which stands be tween you and the Lord. Get right with God by confession and contrition. Sur render your life for service, and there will be deliverance from all the enemies of the flesh. Israel put away Ashtoreth and Baalim. They had a mingled worship of false and true so often found in the church when they unite the Unitarian and the follower of Christ. And when our songs of worship are mingled with the false cults. You cannot love God and the world at the same time. (Judges 10:15, 16). (2) REVIVED WORSHIP OF THE LORD, and ROUTING OF THE ENEMY (vs. 9-11). The people were called by Samuel to Mizpah, a high hill flYe hundred feet above Jerusalem, for prayer. (Gen. 31:49). This was a bold confession of faith in God. A public service. Its ef fect was to arouse Israel and antagonize the Philistines. It takes a real man to call for a day of prayer, even in our day. Samuel is the leader of a covenant people, but he knows that the source of help is God. What a blessing might come from this lesson taught world wide, were it to lead the church to a new purpose and
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