Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths (Canaanite goddess) from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." 1 Samuel 7:3 (NKJV).
God First!
Samuel lived at the end of the period of the judges and begins the era of kingship in Israel. He was Israel’s last judge (1 Samuel 7:6, 15-17) and first prophet (1 Samuel 3:20; Acts 3:24; Acts 13:20). In addition, Samuel functioned as a priest (1 Samuel 2:18) and was a wonderful man of God (Hebrews 11:32).
The prophet Samuel urged the Israelites to get rid of their foreign gods (see Exodus 20:3-4; Deuteronomy 5:7-8) and to return to the LORD God with all their hearts. He wanted the people of Israel to place God first place in their lives and to serve, love and worship Him as God above all else (see also Matthew 6:33). The prophet Samuel understood that God is a jealous God and we must let nothing rival Him. God must be our first priority.
Amazingly, after the Israelites repented and returned to God, God gave them victory against the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:3-10). No one can expect God’s blessing until they place God and His will first (see Genesis 35:2; Joshua 24:14). Faithfulness and love to God always lead to victory!
Apart from a right relationship with God, all of life can be filled with grief, sorrow and defeat. Only when life is lived based upon God and His Word is life worthwhile (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 3:12-13 and 12:13). Commitment to God is the only reason for living. Besides, pursuit of riches and personal achievement do not bring lasting enjoyment, pleasure and satisfaction. Only service and faith in God does life have true meaning, satisfaction and enjoyment (see Psalm 127).
God First!
Samuel lived at the end of the period of the judges and begins the era of kingship in Israel. He was Israel’s last judge (1 Samuel 7:6, 15-17) and first prophet (1 Samuel 3:20; Acts 3:24; Acts 13:20). In addition, Samuel functioned as a priest (1 Samuel 2:18) and was a wonderful man of God (Hebrews 11:32).
The prophet Samuel urged the Israelites to get rid of their foreign gods (see Exodus 20:3-4; Deuteronomy 5:7-8) and to return to the LORD God with all their hearts. He wanted the people of Israel to place God first place in their lives and to serve, love and worship Him as God above all else (see also Matthew 6:33). The prophet Samuel understood that God is a jealous God and we must let nothing rival Him. God must be our first priority.
Amazingly, after the Israelites repented and returned to God, God gave them victory against the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:3-10). No one can expect God’s blessing until they place God and His will first (see Genesis 35:2; Joshua 24:14). Faithfulness and love to God always lead to victory!
Apart from a right relationship with God, all of life can be filled with grief, sorrow and defeat. Only when life is lived based upon God and His Word is life worthwhile (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 3:12-13 and 12:13). Commitment to God is the only reason for living. Besides, pursuit of riches and personal achievement do not bring lasting enjoyment, pleasure and satisfaction. Only service and faith in God does life have true meaning, satisfaction and enjoyment (see Psalm 127).
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