Reflecting on a Lifetime: How has God Impacted Your Journey Through Answers to Prayers?
- Sister Janet K.
- Nov 13, 2024
- 2 min read
These old oak trees in Texas are too massive to capture in a photo as they grow high while some heavy limbs then grow sideways resting near the ground from their sheer weight. This one is surrounded by a fence to prevent visitors from climbing its branches.
When reading this chapter of 1 Samuel in which Samuel has agreed at the request of the people to anoint a king over them, I thought of these trees representing the ongoing weighty things God had done for His people. Samuel reminded them of how many times and for how long God had rescued them, fought for them, forgiven them, had mercy of them, provided their needs. Like this oak, God’s history of care for them extended in every direction adding weight to the reasons they should live in awe and worship Yahweh as their only King. Though Samuel appointed Saul as king per their request, Saul failed as his heart of pride led to evil, not good. The people’s request for a king defied God’s command in Exodus 20:3: "You shall have no other gods before me".
But always in His lovingkindness, God rescues and reminds: “You shall fear (have reverence for) the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.” Deuteronomy 10:20
Jesus then gives us the example when being tempted by Satan. “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Luke 4:8
As I think back over a lifetime, I could label the branches on that oak tree with all the “weighty things” God has done for me. Answers to prayers that I didn’t recognize at the time now remind me of why I worship God alone. So I can testify that “…my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus..”Philip. 4:19
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ”Ephesians 3:20-21
Amen. 👆👆👆🙏🙏🙏
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