1 Samuel 7 gives another example of Samuel’s willingness to speak the truth to the Israelite people. They had been without the Ark for many years, and were mourning because it seemed like God had abandoned them. Here was Samuel’s feedback for them:
Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the Lord; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord.
When the Philistine rulers heard that Israel had gathered at Mizpah, they mobilized their army and advanced. The Israelites were badly frightened when they learned that the Philistines were approaching. “Don’t stop pleading with the Lord our God to save us from the Philistines!” they begged Samuel. - 1 Samuel 7:3-4,7-8 (NLT)
I loved the introduction to his instructions to the Israelites. “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord”. It was like he was saying, “Look, let’s not waste anyone’s time here or play games with God’”. Here were his instructions to them:
Get rid of your foreign Gods. The Israelites had a habit of worshipping the ‘gods’ of the people they lived close to. They allowed their proximity to other people to affect their devotion to the only true God. Samuel simply said to “get rid of them”. - Obey only the Lord. Closely related to #1, Samuel left no doubt that the Israelites had to choose to obey God or disobey God…there was no middle ground. To disobey Him in anything was to disobey Him in everything.
We need these same two things today. We need to get rid of everything that pulls us away from the one true God and determine to obey only Him. But we also have to remember that we can neither of these alone. We have to have God’s help, or we will certainly fail. He demands our complete devotion and obedience, but He promises help with both if we are serious and “don’t stop pleading with the Lord our God” (vs. 8).
By the way, this section from 1 Samuel reminds me of the first two verses of Hebrews 12, as they have the same two themes:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. – Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
Then, Hebrews 13 reminds us how it is possible to accomplish these two things:
Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT)
So, let’s get rid of the things that distract us from God, determine to obey Him. But let’s not forget to ask Him for the help He promises!
