True Repentance
Opening Prayer
Lord, help me to identify any area where I may need to repent, and then help me deal with it.
Read 1 Samuel 7:2-17
[2] The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time-twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the LORD. [3] So 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.” [4] So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. [5] Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” [6] When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. [7] When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. [8] They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” [9] Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. [10] 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. [11] The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. [12] Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” [13] So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines. [14] The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. [15] Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. [16] From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. [17] But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What good attitude did the Israelites show here?A time of crisis in a nation is likely to be a time of seeking the Lord. Samuel recognized that the return of the ark by the Philistines was an opportunity for restoration, and he used it to bring about a step forward in the relationship between God and the people (3,4). A superficial repentance will do no good; there must be a true putting away of idols. In our day, idols may be sins such as financial well-being or self-image, anything which totally consumes our thoughts and desires. Note the Israelites’ actions in vs. 6 and 7: the pouring out of water was a symbol of their desire to be spiritually clean, and their fasting indicated their serious intent to give time to prayer. The change of heart was soon tested, as the Philistines threatened again (7). But after the Philistines had been routed, Samuel set up the “Ebenezer” stone (12). This was to be a permanent reminder to the people that God had been, and would be, their helper. It is good for us to remember that God has delivered us and will continue to be our deliverer. We forget so easily!
Apply
List some “Ebenezers” you could construct. Thank God for what they mean to you.
Closing prayer
My Lord, how grateful I am for Your help and care in the past. I trust You for the future, too.
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