Under Samuel’s leadership, as the last of the Judges to govern Israel, there came a demand from the people to have a King – as all the other nations had. Samuel regarded God as King, so the appointment of another King, an ordinary man, seemed all wrong to him. God allowed it however, and we see the beginning of the idea of a King in the history of Israel. Our story takes us on to the call of Saul as the very first King, but we have also to get our minds round the idea of the great King, Jesus, and the eternal Kingdom of God.
v 13. So the Philistines were subdued and didn’t invade Israel again for some time. And throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the Lord’s powerful hand was raised against the Philistines.
This was a critical moment in Samuel’s leadership in Israel. His call in v 3 for the people to return to worship the One True God was heeded. Their response was to get rid of idols (at last!) and then to join in a great national day of confession and repentance. (v 6) With the Israelites gathered in one place, the Philistines thought they were on to a wonderful opportunity to inflict a major defeat on Israel. Little did they understand what had been going on in the Nation, and now God storms in to rescue His people. The tables were completely turned and a time of peace ensued.
For the Israelites, defeat was turned into victory through repentance, the removal of the idols that had been holding them in thrall, and then practical outcomes in God-focussed worship. These remain the three central features of personal and corporate restoration to a lively relationship with God. It leaves us with three questions:
1. Have I genuinely repented of my sin that offends God so much?
Does it really hurt me that I have offended God so deeply?
2. Have I taken practical steps to eliminate the things that spoil my life?
Not just a verbal response, but practical action might be needed.
3. Am I offering heart-felt worship to God in company with others?
Spiritual renewal gets under way when we act in harmony with others.
If you feel that for some reason you are out of touch with God, and not enjoying fellowship with Him, these questions have to be considered and worked on as we move forward in step with Jesus.
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