What would my Life look Like If?

1 Samuel 7:1-6

Have you ever pondered on the question; what would my life look like if I got rid of or did not allow the stuff flesh craves to have prominence in my life?  Now think bigger, what if all who are a follower of Christ in the USA would set their hearts and minds on doing so?   I can see some well-meaning person putting a program together to change the nations, but it is not a program we need, nor will one work. 

What is needed are men and women, boys and girls who have a mature understanding of God, and a knowledge of Satan’s ways.  Many a person has written on this subject, and the Scripture is full of the light of God and Satan’s identity and attributes.  Satan is not to be feared, but understood, for he is not the guy with the horns and pitchfork but an angel of light, a deceiver, who hates all that God calls good and holy.

Once we grasp that Satan is a created being of an angelic realm and that he was defeated at the Cross, but God has allowed him access and permission to each of us for a time, it should make us run to the Lord for only He is the mighty God.  One other truth that is important, religion desires people with a zeal for God, but no real understanding or knowledge of God.  Paul, the apostle, was such a person, and the church is full of such people today, they teach, they preach, they serve, but much of it is in the flesh. 

I read a simple prayer in three parts in “Faith is the Victory” page 126; (1) He said, in substance, “Lord I do not question your providence.  Just give me the grace to bear whatever you permit.”  (2) He said, “Lord, help me to understand what you are trying to say to me in this trial.”  (3) He said, “Lord, help me to be a good witness in this trial, and let the people see what God can do for a man who trusts in thee.”

If we, who go by the name of Christ, would adopt that heart attitude, I believe we would experience what Israel is experiencing in chapter seven.  But we need to study and explore what took place first with the men of Kiriath-jearim as they came and took the ark of God to Abinadab’s.  And why Abinadab’s house, Scripture does not tell us, but we do know it was on a hill and that his son Eleazar was given the job of caring for the ark.  Now the name Eleazar was a typical priestly name, and it may be they were of a family with a Levitical connection.

God uses people, often it was a man to awaken the people of God, and the Scripture does not give much help in all that is taking place, but verses 2-6 provide this insight.  “Time went by until 20 years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel began to seek the Lord. Samuel told them, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, dedicate yourselves to the Lord, and worship only Him. Then He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.” So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtoreths and only worshiped the Lord.

Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.” When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the Lord’s presence. They fasted that day, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.”

WOW, it is clear what is needed in each of our lives, first, an understanding of God, then of our enemy.  And yes, we must awaken to this fact, we are the mess, it’s not our brother or our sister but it is me oh Lord, I need to remove the little gods I run to.  Yes, we need confession and repentance and brokenness about our sins.  Do not worry about God sending a Samuel; He has already sent His Son, His only Son.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice