How should we respond when God answers our prayers, as seen in Numbers 21:3? Setting the Scene - Israel faced fierce opposition from the Canaanite king of Arad (Numbers 21:1–2). - The people cried out to the LORD and made a vow: “If You will indeed deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction” (v. 2). - Verse 3 records God’s answer: “So the LORD listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So they named the place Hormah” (Numbers 21:3). Israel’s Immediate Response - Complete obedience: They carried out the vow exactly as promised—no hesitation, no partial commitment. - Public acknowledgement: Naming the site “Hormah” (“devotion” or “destruction”) created a lasting reminder of God’s intervention. - Corporate unity: The entire nation joined in the act, demonstrating shared gratitude and accountability. Timeless Principles for Us 1. Fulfill the commitments we make while praying • Ecclesiastes 5:4–5—“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it… Better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it.” • Genuine faith keeps its word after the “amen.” 2. Respond with decisive obedience • James 1:22—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Answered prayer invites immediate, practical action. 3. Memorialize God’s faithfulness • Joshua 4:6–7—twelve stones from the Jordan became a perpetual testimony. • Journals, testimonies, family conversations, or even a physical marker help us remember and retell God’s works. 4. Give God the credit publicly • Psalm 34:1–3—“I will bless the LORD at all times… let us exalt His name together.” • Gratitude strengthens others’ faith and redirects glory to the Lord. 5. Let answered prayer fuel ongoing trust • 1 Samuel 7:12—“Ebenezer… ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’” • Past deliverances energize present confidence. Other Biblical Snapshots - Hannah (1 Samuel 1:27–28): Returned Samuel to the LORD exactly as vowed. - One healed leper (Luke 17:15–16): Turned back, glorified God, and gave thanks. - Peter’s deliverance (Acts 12:11–17): Church gathered to celebrate and report God’s rescue. Living It Out Today - Keep a running log of requests and answers; note the date, outcome, and your response. - Tell someone—family, church, co-worker—what God has done. - Translate gratitude into service: volunteer, give, or encourage others as tangible praise. - Re-read answered-prayer records when new challenges arise; let them remind you that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Why It Matters When God answers prayer, responding like Israel at Hormah honors Him, deepens our trust, and testifies to His ongoing power. The pattern—obedience, remembrance, and public praise—keeps our hearts aligned with the One who hears and delivers. |
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