SOAP 11/26/2015; Psalm 106:30-31

Today's reading: Matthew 23, 24, 25*

S) "³⁰ Then Phinehas stood up and interposed,
And so the plague was stayed.
³¹ And it was reckoned to him for righteousness,
To all generations forever."

Psalm 106:30-31 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 106

O) In this recap of the history of Israel, and God's goodness to them in spite of their unfaithfulness, Phinehas gets a shout out for what he did (see Numbers 25:6-9). To be sure, his actions were unique, and they cannot be taken out of context as some kind of repeatable solution to a plague. Still, this grandson of Aaron saw that the situation was desperate, and he took to action. He trusted the laws that God has given. He trusted that God was telling the truth about the consequences for breaking the covenant with Him. So, even though the circumstantial methods are different, his decisive obedience, the immediacy of his faithfulness to the covenant Moses had just brought, is what really is credited to Phinehas as righteousness.

A) With almost any anecdotal act of obedient violence from the Bible, I must always remember what Ephesians 6 teaches. The weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but spiritual. My "violent obedience" should be one of prayer. Reading stories about Epaphras reminds me that spiritual warfare is, indeed, vigorous. Or, it seems like maybe it should be. There seems to be a direct connection between a life of righteousness, and a life of decisive, no-nonsense, rigorous prayer. As much as I am studying the Word, and worshiping Jesus throughout my day, the power of my prayer life is certainly the weak link of the three. I think it starts with my response to crisis. When Phinehas was confronted with crisis, he took immediate steps to remedy the situation. In a similar way, when I am confronted with crisis, I need to respond with adamant prayer. I cannot wait, I cannot waiver. I must immediately bow my head and lift my voice, and labor in prayer for those in need.

P) Father, teach me in prayer. Train me to be a more powerful spiritual warrior. Not for my own glory, but only to Your greatness. I want to be faithful in my prayer life, God. I want to be consistent, strong, and fervent. Give me the discipline I need to be an effective tool in Your hand, Lord. You are faithful to answer prayers. When I am praying Your will, I know it will be done, because You said it and You do not lie. Let my reactions prove my beliefs. Have Your way, Lord God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.