I Shall Recover It All
Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 30:1-19.
Key Verses, 30:8 & 30:19
Introduction. Speak about robbery; times we’ve felt robbed. Talk about the various emotions associated with being robbed or having something stolen.
Elaborate on the story of David and Ziklag (refer to Bible) also study bible
Today I want to tell you about two weapons that can and should be used in order to recover it all. They are Prayer and the Holy Spirit. I know that they’re others I could tell you about like faith, worship, etc. but today we focus on Prayer and the Holy Spirit.
A class of Roman Gladiators called the Retiarii, they fought using only a net and a trident. Of all the fearsome and lethal weapons available to those warriors, who often battled to death, these men were given two items – a piece of webbing and a three pronged spear. When they entered the arena their survival depended on how well they used their weapons. In the spiritual battle we face as Christians, God has chosen our weapons: “Though we walk in the flesh we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)
You ask why prayer & the Holy Spirit Neil? Go ahead ask me. Well then let me tell you. In verse 8 what did David do? First he called his Priest, not Suzie or the lets go get em crew, sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis and we call on everybody except God He’s that last resort He’s our refund check, let me stop, that’s a different message there. So he called his Priest and told him to bring the Ephod now I know some of might be asking what in the world is that, well it’s a Priestly Garment, I don’t have a picture but in Exodus 28 it gives a very good description. Attached to the ephod was the breastplate of Judgment and on this breastplate were the mysterious stones called the Urim and Thummim, translated these Hebrew words mean Lights and Perfections, together their names may mean perfect knowledge or a similar idea. It is possible that these stones were meant to assure the priest that God would reveal His true Judgment to him, a sign that David confidently expected the Lord to resolve the issue. He asked God what to do and God answered him. One of the amazing things about this weapon is that is accessible to everyone, Prayer is an open line to Heaven. Let me tell you about the unrivaled power of prayer, could someone please read Romans 8:26. You see we realize that we are energized by the Holy Spirit for prayer and we know that it is to pray in accordance with the Spirit; but we don’t often realize that the Holy Spirit Himself prays prayers in us which we cannot utter ourselves. When we are born again of God and are indwelt by the Spirit of God, He expresses for us the unutterable. The Holy Spirit in you “makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” Romans 8:27 all praise and Glory and Honor must be given to Him. Daniel knew the power of prayer in his lion’s den, Elijah and Elisha they knew the power of prayer when they got to their Jordan River. When you come to your wits end and feel inclined to panic, when you find yourself alone at your Jericho and you’re reluctant to trust God, wanting instead for someone else to take it, when you return home and find that you’ve been robbed of your children, your finances, your husband, your wife, your dignity, your self esteem, your courage, your joy. STOP!! Take a deep breath, get on your knees and cry out to God. Stand true to God and he will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Please put into practice what you’ve learned.
Holy Spirit: Refer to text 30:11
The Holy Spirit is much, much, more He’s more than all that and a bag of chips, He’s a comforter, intercessor, a source of devotion, joy, life, love and strength, He’s a teacher, a vindicator, a messenger and a friend.
Conclusion: God ordains circumstances of a saint’s life. In life there’s no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you can’t understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you. Never put yourself in front of your circumstances and say, “I’m going to be my own providence here; I’m gonna watch this closely, or protect myself from that.” All your circumstances are in the hand of God; therefore you don’t ever have to think they are unnatural or unique. Use the everyday circumstances and people God puts around you, to bring them before His throne and allow the Spirit in you to intercede for them. In this way God will touch the whole world with saints.
We are to be protected and armed for a conflict that depends not on human strength but on the power of God. When we realize the nature of that warfare and the forces against us, it’s foolish to enter the fray with anything except our God given weapons.
What has the devil robbed you of? Today is the day of recovery.
