The Power of Love

“Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.”

1 Samuel 11:3

 
There is an old saying that goes, “when the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace” and though the quote here might identify the problem plaguing our world today, it does nothing to provide the solution for without the Holy Spirit we might as well say, “the best laid plans of mice and men.” You see loved one, God is love so without God what we have isn’t really love at all.

In 1 Samuel 11 we see the power of love at work in that the people of Jabesh-gilead had failed miserably when they refused to fight when civil war broke out in Israel between the tribe of Benjamin and the other 11 tribes. Now in desperate need of help themselves, why would anyone come to their rescue? After all, the world lives by the old saying, “what goes around comes around.” The bible shares a similar thought in declaring plainly in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Grace isn’t just a New Testament concept and here in 1 Samuel chapter 11 we see first hand God’s grace in action. Remember in simple terms the definition for grace is, “getting what we don’t deserve.”

King Saul was very angry when he first learned the plight of the people of Jabesh-gilead but his anger quickly turned to compassion when the Holy Spirit came upon him. That is what happens when we are walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. In the flesh we want a pound of flesh when we are wronged, but when we are walking in the Spirit we recognize that it’s by His stripes we are healed. We don’t need a pound of flesh because Jesus already gave His flesh for us so that we would not have to require it of others when they sin against us.

So moved with compassion Saul marched all night along with 300,000 mighty men who would go with him to defend their brothers who early had refused to fight for them. Israel followed Saul into battle because they saw the kings heart for his people, they saw his compassion and love and the fact that he was willing to march through the night showed he cared. Yes, loved one, the power of love is what defeats Nahash. Interesting the name Nahash means, “serpent” and it is God’s love that defeated the serpent at the Cross.

What worked then will work now as God has not changed. We can overcome the serpent every time with love, God’s love. Every time the enemy attempts to remind you of your past failures and seeks to make you think the king won’t come to your rescue, read this beautiful story here in 1 Samuel 11. The King, our King Jesus will come to our rescue when we cry out to Him. Are you in trouble today, is the enemy advancing and it appears like you are headed for certain defeat? Walk by faith and not by sight. Call upon the name of the Lord today and be saved. Jesus came once, He promised to come again. Rescuing is what God does best! Reminds me of the worship song…

“Rescue”

You are the source of life
And I can’t be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of you

I need You Jesus
To come to my rescue
Where else can I go
There’s no other name by
Which I am saved
Capture me with Love

My heart is yours for life
And I need your hand in mine
No one else will do
I put my trust in you

I will follow you
This world has nothing for me. (song ends)

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

1 John 3:16

 
I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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