Trust God

"Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, 'If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.' So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the Lord alone. Then Samuel said, 'Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the Lord for you.' They gathered to Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day and said there, 'We have sinned against the Lord.' And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.Now when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel, 'Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.'" -1 Samuel 7.3-8

The ark has been returned a priest has been consecrated to take care of it, but the Philistines are still an issue. The sacred item has been returned, but Israel's lifestyle has not changed. Samuel has grown up, he is no longer the little boy who does not know the voice of God, but has become a man who serves as God's leader in Israel. He calls the people to wholeheartedly return to God, and to destroy the pagan worship that they have adopted. If they will do this, God will deliver them from the Philistines.

The people do what Samuel instructs them to do. Samuel calls them to gather at Mizpah for prayer, and the Philistines find out. They can't resist the opportunity of such an easy target. They march to battle, well more of what would be a massacre, and Israel hears that they are coming. They are afraid, but rather than make battle plans, they turn to God.

God comes through for them. God thunders and confuses the Philistines, allowing Israel to defeat them. Samuel sets up a memorial stone, declaring that God has been with Israel, and the Philistines do not come back into Israel. The people turned to God, trusted God, and God delivered them from their enemies.

Men, is this true of you? Have you turned to God? Are you serving Him with all your heart? Do you trust Him? When hard times arise do you make plans to fight yourself, or do you focus your attention on seeking God?

Israel had previously tried to do things their way. They had lived how they wanted, and when they went to battle they expected God to be with them because they had the object of His presence. They lost the fight, they lost the ark, and even when it was returned they lost over 50,000 men. But here, they turn to God, repent of their sin, and trust Him. When they do they win victory not simply in a battle, but in the war. Their lands are retaken and the Philistines are subdued.

Let us be men who turn from sin to God. Let us be men who trust Him fully, and direct our attention to Him. Let us be men who are victorious because of God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor