August 28, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Samuel? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 7 (NIV)
1 So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all.
Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah
Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”..........Continue Reading
Samuel truly steps into his role as priest and gets the people of Israel back to where they should be. Putting down their idols and disobedience and following and fearing the Lord and God restores their lands and gives them victory in battles.
A chapter that reminds us where our hearts should be with Christ and evidence that He keeps his promises but that we must do our part…believe and follow!
God can do big things in favor of His people once they cast out their idols. Today, I don’t have physical idols but idols can be anything that can hinder my fellowship with God and block his blessings. I have identified a few that have the tendency to become idols in my life. I have to be careful about not letting anything go between me and God.
1 Samuel 7
1 Samuel 6-7
Isn’t it incredible that the Ark of the covenant remained in Abinadab’s house for 20 years? What a daunting privilege and responsibility! And kudos to Samuel for being such a godly and good leader that he confronts the people of Israel and calls them to return to Him fully. And as they do, God grants them victory over their most persistent enemy, the Philistines. This is exactly what He promised the Israelites that He would do as they obeyed Him. We certainly are wise to do the same and at least give God a reason to bless us rather than correct us. And Samuel shows good leadership as he travels around the nation making himself available to people, both in just being around as well as making sound judgements as he resolved disputes amongst them. It is unfortunate that these times of obedience seem short lived with the Israelites.
Repentance leads to restoration, victory and recovery.
I just noticed something else.
“And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 He went from year to year on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and judged Israel in all those places. 17 But he always returned to Ramah, for his home was there. There he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the Lord.”
His mom and dad lived in Ramah. So, that’s nice, he always returned to visit his mom. 🙂 What a blessing that must have been for Hannah.