Dealing with Stubbornness

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1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

Samuel is telling the Israelites that they asked for a king when God was their king and they just did not acknowledge Him. And now, God has appointed a king over them, Saul, and the people were repentant. However, I can tell that Samuel is still really upset at the people. To keep himself from sinning like them, he decides that he will continue to pray for the people and continue to give them God's instruction.

Stubbornness. I know that I get frustrated with stubborn people. My tendency is to give up on them, allow them to feel the consequences of their wrong choices. Today, God is showing me His way. The way to deal with stubbornness is not bailing out, but stubbornness on my part for God's best in their lives. There are some people that I feel like, "Geez, I've prayed for you on that already. Why are you still putting yourself in that situation?" So I stop praying for them. I figure, why waste my prayers or breath on someone who refuses to change? But God wants me to continue to pray for those people and to continue to instruct them in His ways.

Lord Jesus, thank You for never giving up on me. Father God, I thank You for showing me what to do. Please fill me with the strength and endurance to continue to pray for stubborn people. Lord, please reveal to me areas in which I have been stubborn in. Lord, use me today for Your glory. I lay it down, I give it to You. Please take it. Forgive me, Lord. Thank You. I love You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.