Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 2 Samuel 21:14, ” They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the tomb of Kish his father. So they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land. ” 

Background

You may have yourself, or you may have been around long enough to remember hearing about people who would bury their money in their backyard for safe keeping. To many people of a certain generation, banks were not to be trusted. Neither was the risky, ever-fluctuating stock market. Better was the dollar you had than risk losing it over the dollar you didn’t have. But money isn’t the only thing that people have buried for a particular purpose. Many superstitions are centered around burying a certain object in a certain place for a specific purpose. In order to speed the sale of their house, homeowners have been known to bury a statue of the catholic Saint Joseph upside down in their yard. Supposedly, Joseph is not too fond of being planted upside down and will hasten the sale of the property to get some relief. In order to attract the love of another, some believe two lodestones can be buried near your front door to keep their love coming to your home. If financial success is your desire, then follow their advice and bury a money-drawing lodestone in front of your business. Sports teams have buried remnants from a poor game or performance to leave their bad ” mojo ” in the past. Clearly, there are those who will go to extremes, ridiculous and illogical extremes, to get what they want. 

Application

When King David’s land was suffering through a three-year drought, he went to some pretty severe measures on behalf of his people. Some lost their lives. Others who had been dead were exhumed and reburied elsewhere. But whatever was required, that’s what David did. And after that, God heeded the prayer for the land. God has promised to work through our prayers. And we have weighty concerns and important issues that need His providential grace. But our mistaken motives and unconfessed sin can bind the hand of the Almighty. Much may be required of you to obediently follow God’s will. Is it too extreme? Is it more than you are willing to do? 

Charge

As we seek Him today, remember the extremes that Jesus went through in His obedience to the Father. Do whatever God asks, and know the joy of His presence in your life.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words