SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. [1 Samuel 7:10] The basic idea of this passage is that the people repent of their rebellion against God, and through Samuel’s intercession, they are delivered from the hand of the Philistines. As they demonstrate their humility, sorrow and dependence on the Lord – as shown in the sacrifice – God demonstrates His power to turn back their enemies. The Lord thundered on behalf of His people; He thundered against His enemies, those who resist His Kingship and His kingdom!
There is a parallel to this event in what happened on the cross. As Jesus was being sacrificed, God thunders: And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. [Matthew 27:50-51] God thunders on behalf of His Son; He thunders against His enemies, those who resist His Kingship and His kingdom! Having rejected God, we have created our own hell. But God will rescue us, if we admit our guilt. We are like alcoholics who cannot be helped until we admit we have a problem; sometimes a painful intervention is needed to break us, to make us see our need for mercy and help.
Both Samuel and Jesus urge people to repent (return to the Lord) with all their hearts, to get rid of ‘idols’ and recommit ourselves to God! [1 Samuel 7:3] This is the only way that we can be helped. But where Samuel offers a lamb, Jesus offers Himself. His sacrifice does not just symbolize repentance, it accomplishes forgiveness. God Himself, through Jesus, absorbs the penalty of our crime, so that we can be absolved of it.
Once we surrender to the Lord, His hand is against our enemy [1 Samuel 7:13]. This doesn’t mean that all enemies disappear, but whatever they do is hindered by the Lord. It may seem that they win (for example, Jesus is crucified), but God’s hand turns it into victory (curtain is torn, the barrier between us and God is removed). As with Samuel, through Jesus’ lifetime God’s hand is against our Enemy. Jesus defeated death, so His lifetime is forever! Our part is to continue to repent, and believe! God has thundered from heaven against Satan, sin, death and hell… and we are delivered!
PRAYER:
Lord, You have done Your part to rescue me from my Enemy, help me to do my part!
One thing stuck out in my mind when reading this chapter In verse 4 it says ‘So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths and served the Lord almighty.’
First off, why are the words Baals and Ashtoreths capitalized? they are idols or false gods, not God. But my main thought was when I read this was they were ‘put away’, not destroyed, not burned or thrown into the sea. Its like they knew they would doubt again and turn away from the Lord and by putting them away they would be easily accessible when that time came.
As the leader goes, so go the people. Leadership has such awesome responsibilites because leaders have a following. When we review the history of Israel we see a direct relationship of the people’s heart of worship – whether serving God or their gods. What an awesome responsibility as leader of nations, local governments, families! Open my eyes Lord that You are leading/guiding me in the way I should go.
Ebenezer – here to the Lord has brought me. As I live my life, what is the Lord to me? How do I see His presence? We have just celebrated Thanksgiving Day and were reminded of God’s help. But then each day needs to be a day of ThanksLiving – an attitude of gratitude with altitude. As I lay me down to sleep and before I close my eyes and rest, I thank You Lord for helping along the activities of the day – You were always there when I needed an upward look, a smile, a P.U.S.H. (pray until something happens), a hand to hold and to guide me through troubled waters. Thank You Lord for Your Encourager, Your Spirit to help me along the Way and to keep my eyes open so that I can truly see that that Lord my God has brought me thus far.
And in the days to come, may I hear Your voice as Samuel did, this is the Way, walk in it.
Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.
Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.