p. 5 | The Power of Prayer by G. B. THOMPSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 23, 1905

The Power of Prayer

By G. B. THOMPSON

ONE incident in the life of David strikingly illustrates the power of earnest prayer. David sat on the throne of the Lord. But rebellion was in his kingdom, nevertheless, led by Absalom, his own son. A conspiracy was working, and plots were being laid to seize the crown, and perhaps take the life of the king. Through flattery the chief conspirator had ingratiated himself into the affections of many. Spies were sent throughout all the kingdom of Israel to foment discord, and strong men were led to forsake the leadership of David, though he sat upon the throne of God, and join the rebels in their destructive work. An army was mustered, organized, and preparations were made to march against Jerusalem, and the dark clouds which loomed above the horizon seemed to betoken a tempest of sufficient power to overthrow the kingdom of Israel.

That Jerusalem might not be exposed to the horrors of war, David left the city. He was conscious of the fact that the terrible situation was traceable, in part at least, to his own sinful course, and he was terribly humbled. Driven from his throne, he fled from the city. “And David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.” 2 Sam. 15:30.

While fleeing up Olivet tidings were brought to the already broken-hearted king, that another, his trusted friend, with whom he took sweet counsel, had joined the conspiracy. Ahithophel had a brilliant mind, and his counsel was as though a “man had inquired at the oracle of God.” Absalom had solicited him to aid by his counsel, and being a shrewd and unprincipled statesman, and thinking that the rebellion would be a success, he yielded to his entreaties. Then, too, Bathsheba, she who was the wife of Uriah, was his granddaughter (compare 2 Sam. 11:3; 23:34), and the sinful course taken by David had planted in his heart a spirit of revenge, and he determined to wipe out the stigma from the family.

From a human standpoint the outlook was exceedingly dark, and well-nigh hopeless. But as David journeyed up Olivet’s slope, from the depressed and almost broken-hearted soul of the king, there went forth the prayer, “O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

God heard this prayer, and turned the victory upon the side of David and his people. Ahithophel gave counsel to Absalom, which, if followed, would have resulted in the defeat of David’s army, and the death of the king. But a prayer had been lodged in heaven, and the Lord purposed to work out deliverance for his servant. Angels from heaven were moving unseen among those who felt secure in their rebellious course. Hushai was called, and gave counsel the opposite of that given by Ahithophel, which was followed. Ahithophel well knew when this was done that the conspiracy would be overthrown. And like Judas, who betrayed his Lord for money, he committed suicide, well knowing that the failure of Absalom’s rebellion meant his undoing forever.

What an object-lesson this is of the power of prayer. How many times it has turned to flight the armies of the aliens we shall never know until the records of the Most High in the heavens above are opened. Through all the ages of the past since sin began its dark inroads in the universe, the history of God’s people has been marked with distressing scenes, both in their personal experiences and as a people. Many, like Jacob, have met a crisis in their lives, from which only the Lord could deliver them. But in response to prayer the angel of his presence saved them. Again and again rebellion manifested itself in the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel. When the case seemed hopeless, in response to the intercession of Moses as he lay prostrate in the dust, Jehovah appeared in glory at the door of the sanctuary; and in one instance at least, the earth opened, and the rebels disappeared forever. And no doubt till the end of time there will be conflicts in the church to fight in various forms. But when, in our experience, we come to a crucial point, it is then that we should petition the great God who is able to deliver, for help. Hezekiah took the boastful letter of Rabshakeh and “spread it before the Lord.” In response to his prayer an angel left the heavenly court upon a mission of death. In silence he walked through the camp of the Assyrian army, and when the bugle was blown in the morning, calling the sleeping soldiers from their slumbers, one hundred and eighty-five thousand of these warriors were found to be sleeping the sleep of death.

Again and again the Lord admonished Joshua to be of good courage, for he would be with him to deliver him whithersoever he should go. To the church till the end of time come the words, “I am with you alway.” Our Captain bids his soldiers “be strong.”

G. B. THOMPSON.