Samech ס
The inspiration for today’s prayer focus is from the 15th letter of the Hebrew alpha-bet, Samech ס. It’s numeric value is 60 which some Jewish scholars associate with the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:23-27, as those verses contain 60 Hebrew letters. The pictograph version of the letter somewhat resembles a shield.
Samech ס Prayer Focus: God’s Presence!
The root of the word Samech itself can mean to lean upon, uphold or support. The letter Samech is also said to represent God’s divine glory in all of creation! It’s also the letter for the festival of Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles (tents.)
John 1:14 (NET)
Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.
While not obvious in the English translation of the verse above, the words translated “took up residence among us” literally mean “tabernacled with us.” Jesus was revealed at the time of His birth and prophetically as God “with us!”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NET)
Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the LORD your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!”
John 14:23 (NET)
3 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and take up residence with him.
We don’t serve a God out there somewhere that can’t be experienced right where we are. Following Jesus, and being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us direct access to God’s literal presence. God is with us! What more could we need? Through Jesus, God literally pitches a tent in our lives!
Let’s focus on God’s presence as we fast and pray today. He is with us!
Here are some scriptures to meditate on as we pray together:
(mouse over or click the scripture references)
Psalm 16:11 | Matthew 18:20, 28:20 | 1 Corinthians 3:16, 4:16 |
Hebrews 10:19-22 | 1 John 4:16 | Revelation 3:20
Section ס of Psalm 119
Psalms 119:113-120 (NET) ס (Samek)
113 I hate people with divided loyalties,
but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield.
I find hope in your word.
115 Turn away from me, you evil men,
so that I can observe the commands of my God.
116 Sustain me as you promised, so that I will live.
Do not disappoint me!
117 Support me, so that I will be delivered.
Then I will focus on your statutes continually.
118 You despise all who stray from your statutes,
for they are deceptive and unreliable.
119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag.
Therefore I love your rules.
120 My body trembles because I fear you;
I am afraid of your judgments.