10 Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell upon them from the heavens. And she did not allow the birds of the air to come upon them by day, or the beasts of the field by night. 11 When David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done, 12 David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, kwho had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, on the day the Philistines killed Saul on Gilboa. 13 And he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan; and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged. 14 And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. And they did all that the king commanded. And after that God responded to the plea for the land.
2 Samuel 21:1-14 (ESV) (Emphasis on Verses 10-14)
This is a special message to all mothers and women out there. In one of my Podcast last month, I shared with you how powerful women are when they chose to become intercessors for their husbands and children. According to our scripture reading for today, seven sons were taken from two women (Rizpah and Merab); all related to King Saul. But one of them named Rizpah; chose to do something extra-ordinary. Brethren, “Everybody does the ordinary things, but those who do the extra-ordinary things, always get noticed”. Everybody prays, yes, every Christian prays, but those who do the extra-ordinary things, Matthew 6:6 tells us “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”.
Now let’s get back. In Rizpah’s grieve, she took sack cloths to the place where the children were killed, laid it on the ground; where she mourned and fasted (day and night) from the beginning of the harvest till rain poured down from heaven on the bodies. She wouldn’t allow the birds and the wild animals to come close to the bodies. She stayed there till a message was went to King David about her actions. We read further that, this moved David to go for the bones of King Saul and Jonathan and together with the young boys who were handed, they buried all of them in the land of Benjamin. I say every woman out there needs to have the spirit of Rizpah in them. You need to refuse to give up on your way-ward children and your husband who are not living right.
Just take the birds and the wild animals as the devil (using alcohol, drugs, gambling, homosexuality, lies, stealing, suicidal attempts and others bad behaviors) that is trying destroying your children and your husband from you. To cause you pain and frustration in your home. If you want to have joy in the family again, refuse to give up and cloth yourself with the spirit of Rizpah and start again to cry out to God. The bible tells us in 1 Samuel 1:10, 12-13 (NIV); “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk…”. Let people around you say whatever they want to say, but you alone know what you want from God and I can only assure you, he will answer you. I have seen and can testify of the son of my Marriage Counselor how is also a family friend. Her son is a naturally intelligent first-class student from childhood. This young man, now a Lecturer in one of the top Universities in Ghana in the Science Faculties, just prefers to play and roam from morning to evening in the entire community. From his childhood years, he just did not like to sit in class for a full day; it was as if there was an evil spirit pursuing him in the class. However, because he was naturally gifted and intelligent he always topped the class, passed his basic level exams and got into Senior High School. The same attitude continued but this time the school expelled him. I recall my counsellor telling me that, one day she was moved with so much sorrow that the only prayer she said to God was “Oh Jesus, so will you look on for my intelligent son’s life to be wasted?”
But one-day she was at home when his son rushed into the house and came begging on his knees that he wants to get back to school again. This time he promised he will stay till he completes the program. What had changed and what was pressing him this time? The young man apparently, met one of his basic school class mates who had completed University, started working with a bank and driving his own car. Only God knows the conversation that went on, but I believe something shifted in the young man’s life that day. Brethren, that was the breakthrough and turning point for the mother and the son. The young man kept his promise, passed his senior high examination and went further to the University. The University maintained him as a Teaching Assistant and then a Lecturer.
What I want you to know is that, you cannot give up on people, especially when they are related to you. Everyone has a point that God delivers them. We can never be God to tell how someone will end up in their future. Ours is to continue praying for them and trust God to do what He does best at the appointed time. Remember, Rizpah’s action was noticed by King David. It is the same way God will notice your cry someday. I want you also to know, that we have all gone astray before, it was the prayers and cries of a mother, that brought us home. I pray that you will cloth yourself with the spirit of Rizpah and refuse to give up and cry out like Hannah.
Shalom and Peace to you.
Maurice Luther
Founder, The Christian Migrant Network
thechristianmigrant@gmail.com
