The Tribune

By Rev Angela Bosfield Palacious

THERE are times when you have to ask God for your answers because the official advisors do not agree: Reheboam is approached by his people to make life easier than his father Solomon did. This what happened in 1 Kings 12:13-14:

The kinganswered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier.

He makes the wrong decision and eleven of the 12 tribes of Israel rebel and reject him as king.

Think of the following decisions that people are struggling with at this time during this hurricane:

1. Do I evacuate or do I remain in my home?

2. Do I buy the extra food and water or do I presume it is all exaggeration?

3. Do I go to sleep or do I stay awake through the storm to know if the water is seeping in or the shutters blowing off?

4. Do I stay sober or do I get drunk and not have a clue what is happening?

5. Do I pray or do I turn my back on God?

This is aside from all the normal questions that take much time and energy to discern godly answers:

1. Is this the person for me to marry?

2. Is this the job for me to take?

3. Is this the course of study for which to apply?

4. Should I build or purchase a house?

5. Should I remain at home or migrate elsewhere?

We all need to know how to pray, especially listening to the Lord for ourselves:

1. Lay your concerns before the Lord and wait to hear a word.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the mind of Christ.

3. Read Scriptures related to the situation and see where the Spirit leads.

4. Consult godly people and see what spiritual counsel you receive, always testing the response with scripture, prayer and seeking confirmation from the Lord.

Remember biblical persons who prayed for answers:

1. Hannah the mother of Samuel: 12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine."15 "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." 17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." 18 She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (I Sam. 1:12-18 NIV). This childless mother conceives Samuel who becomes one of the great prophets of the Old Testament.

2. Our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane: 36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Whatever your issues, always go to God. Rest in the Spirit. Open your heart and wait for wisdom.

Prayerfully do your best, and let God do the rest.