SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 19
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” [1 Samuel 19:23-24] Apparently the Spirit of God will also take over a person, just like an evil spirit. The one does so for evil, the other for good. The evil spirit in Saul prompted him to kill David [1 Samuel 19:9-10], but the Spirit of God leads him to speak truth, to declare God’s will. Just imagine that Saul was prophesying his own downfall!
In the midst of the politics and power struggles, God is working out His kingdom mission, replacing a self-serving king with a kingdom-serving king – David, who is a pattern of Jesus to come. The same thing is still happening today, God is working through Jesus by His Spirit to restore His kingdom. He has sent His Spirit into the world, and the Spirit is moving in His followers, but also everywhere else. Even non-christians are being inspired by the Spirit to testify to the truth (prophecy). I personally hear the Spirit of God speaking through those who advocate for the environment; where it ought to be christians who advocate for creation care, the Spirit of God is getting the message out with those who otherwise do not acknowledge or serve Him. God’s message will get out, one way or another. He desires to work through His followers, but He will also work through His opponents.
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [Matthew 10:19-20] Sometimes the Spirit speaks through us when we are unaware of it. In fact, I bet this happens a lot, when God directs something we say to help someone listening to us, in ways we are totally unaware of. But I think we can do more than just hope and wait for God to initiate this; I believe we need to open ourselves to this. When we surrender our lives to the Lord, we also surrender our mouths/tongues to Him; we desire to have His Spirit prophecy through us. Some old songs that speak of this, “Lord speak to me that I may speak”; “take my lips and let them be, filled with messages from Thee”; “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise”.
Like Saul, whether we want it or not, God will speak His truth by His Spirit through us. Better to want it, to desire it, and to use our lips willingly and intentionally for Him and for His message of love.
PRAYER:
Lord, speak to me that I may speak in living echoes of Your voice!