Seeking God's will

Ravindran

Ravindran

I was reading 1 Samuel. I just made this note in Youversion. I thought of posting this here also. This may not be well typed since it was meant for a quick note :) The passage of text would be 1 Samuel 28:6-7. What do you think about this?

When reading this passage, it sounds like Saul approached the medium only because Lord did not answer Saul. But we read in 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14 - "He failed to obey the lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the lord for guidance"

What was wrong with Saul's prayer?
- No intent to obey Lord's command
- No dependency on Lord. He already made up mind that he would go to mediums if Lord did not answer
- Never bothered to think why Lord did not answer
- Never bothered to think about the previous cases of disobediences

Are our prayers like this? Are we praying with intend to obey Lord's command or just going through motions? Are we ready to get an answer of "No" from Lord or making up our mind on how we would tackle the situation is Lord answers No?
 
I have also been meditating about perceiving God's will, and in what sometimes appears to be unanswered pleas for guidance.

You are right concerning praying with the wrong attitude of the heart (wrong intent, no acknowledgement of dependency, having unconfessed sin bar communication, etc.).

In Saul's case, he was showing his fear. It was unwillingness to face the Philistines, fearing for his own safety. I think it is significant that in the prior chapter, David had recently declined to kill Saul since Saul was the Lord's anointed (1 Sam 26:11), and shown himself to be brave and trusting in the Lord's leading in battle (and thus was chosen by Achish to be Achish's bodyguard - 1 Sam 28:2). David was willing to place his life in jeopardy to serve God's people while Saul was fearful and did not trust the Lord and was insane with jealousy toward David.
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But there is another case concerning determining God's will with which my meditations this past week have been concerned: Many times in my life, I have asked the Lord for guidance with a problem, and still had to struggle through. Looking back, I can see that during those times I either developed greater discipline, or learned of my inadequacy. I learned a good deal more in having to keep my faith in the face of trial than I ever would have learned if the opposition were removed. It is only looking back that I could see the hand of our Lord fighting for me. It is less a matter of whether God answered my prayers, and more of a case of my not being able to perceive His answer until much later.

1 John 5:14,15 [ NASB ]
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.​

A key point here is the "according to His will". Incorporated in that phrase are that there is no unconfessed sin, that we are not demanding anything of God, rather offering supplication and are ready for the Lord's leading regarding what is to our benefit. Many times, it seams that the Lord answers the prayers of our heart by turning our heart to His will.
 
Siloam said:
I have also been meditating about perceiving God's will, and in what sometimes appears to be unanswered pleas for guidance.

You are right concerning praying with the wrong attitude of the heart (wrong intent, no acknowledgement of dependency, having unconfessed sin bar communication, etc.).

In Saul's case, he was showing his fear. It was unwillingness to face the Philistines, fearing for his own safety. I think it is significant that in the prior chapter, David had recently declined to kill Saul since Saul was the Lord's anointed (1 Sam 26:11), and shown himself to be brave and trusting in the Lord's leading in battle (and thus was chosen by Achish to be Achish's bodyguard - 1 Sam 28:2). David was willing to place his life in jeopardy to serve God's people while Saul was fearful and did not trust the Lord and was insane with jealousy toward David.
______________

But there is another case concerning determining God's will with which my meditations this past week have been concerned: Many times in my life, I have asked the Lord for guidance with a problem, and still had to struggle through. Looking back, I can see that during those times I either developed greater discipline, or learned of my inadequacy. I learned a good deal more in having to keep my faith in the face of trial than I ever would have learned if the opposition were removed. It is only looking back that I could see the hand of our Lord fighting for me. It is less a matter of whether God answered my prayers, and more of a case of my not being able to perceive His answer until much later.

1 John 5:14,15 [ NASB ]
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.​

A key point here is the "according to His will". Incorporated in that phrase are that there is no unconfessed sin, that we are not demanding anything of God, rather offering supplication and are ready for the Lord's leading regarding what is to our benefit. Many times, it seams that the Lord answers the prayers of our heart by turning our heart to His will.
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As i was blessed by what you said.....i have 3 verses that show that what you spoke is the Word of God.

James 4:3....ye ask and receive not because you ask amiss....

Mark 11:22-25 forgiveness if you have aught

Proverbs 16:3 Amplified Bible.....Roll your works (or plans) upon the Lord (commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and) so shall your plans be established and succeed

Another 2 to add is mt 6:33 and Ephesians 5:15, 17

Thanks for sharing!
 
Ravindran said:
I was reading 1 Samuel. I just made this note in Youversion. I thought of posting this here also. This may not be well typed since it was meant for a quick note :) The passage of text would be 1 Samuel 28:6-7. What do you think about this?

When reading this passage, it sounds like Saul approached the medium only because Lord did not answer Saul. But we read in 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14 - "He failed to obey the lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the lord for guidance"

What was wrong with Saul's prayer?
- No intent to obey Lord's command
- No dependency on Lord. He already made up mind that he would go to mediums if Lord did not answer
- Never bothered to think why Lord did not answer
- Never bothered to think about the previous cases of disobediences

Are our prayers like this? Are we praying with intend to obey Lord's command or just going through motions? Are we ready to get an answer of "No" from Lord or making up our mind on how we would tackle the situation is Lord answers No?
Click to expand...

Thank You for sharing your notes they made for a good post! And good reminders of having the right attitude when we pray.
 
Ravindran said:
I was reading 1 Samuel. I just made this note in Youversion. I thought of posting this here also. This may not be well typed since it was meant for a quick note :) The passage of text would be 1 Samuel 28:6-7. What do you think about this?

When reading this passage, it sounds like Saul approached the medium only because Lord did not answer Saul. But we read in 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14 - "He failed to obey the lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the lord for guidance"

What was wrong with Saul's prayer?
- No intent to obey Lord's command
- No dependency on Lord. He already made up mind that he would go to mediums if Lord did not answer
- Never bothered to think why Lord did not answer
- Never bothered to think about the previous cases of disobediences

Are our prayers like this? Are we praying with intend to obey Lord's command or just going through motions? Are we ready to get an answer of "No" from Lord or making up our mind on how we would tackle the situation is Lord answers No?
Click to expand...
This is a very good way to approach passages and prayers.
YouVersion is very good for note taking.
 
Ravindran said:
I was reading 1 Samuel. I just made this note in Youversion. I thought of posting this here also. This may not be well typed since it was meant for a quick note :) The passage of text would be 1 Samuel 28:6-7. What do you think about this?

When reading this passage, it sounds like Saul approached the medium only because Lord did not answer Saul. But we read in 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14 - "He failed to obey the lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the lord for guidance"

What was wrong with Saul's prayer?
- No intent to obey Lord's command
- No dependency on Lord. He already made up mind that he would go to mediums if Lord did not answer
- Never bothered to think why Lord did not answer
- Never bothered to think about the previous cases of disobediences

Are our prayers like this? Are we praying with intend to obey Lord's command or just going through motions? Are we ready to get an answer of "No" from Lord or making up our mind on how we would tackle the situation is Lord answers No?
Click to expand...
Great post!!! Saul had sin in his heart, so God didn't hear him... his sin? Pride, impatience, arrogance...

Psalms 66:18 (KJV)
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:​
 
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