Watch For What We Ask

O. T. #588  "Watch For What We Ask"
August 31, 2015
1 Samuel 8
And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.  1 Samuel 8:5

LET IT GLOW

We would be wise to watch what we ask for from God. Sometimes it is not what is best for us, yet He gives it to teach us a lesson. Then we live to regret it. Such is the case of Israel.

As Samuel grew old, he made his sons judges over Israel. However, his sons turned aside to lucre. This is the first mention of lucre, which refers to plunder, gain, profit in the Hebrew language.
Of all people, Samuel should have should have learned from Eli's mistakes (3:13). Did he not properly train his sons and restrain them? Now they were perverting judgment.

We must be careful to mold and train our children in the ways of God. What we teach them can last a lifetime and affect future generations.Without that training, they probably go the way of the world. However, we can't blame ourselves for the choices our grown children make. They are accountable to God for their actions.

How important is filthy lucre to us?
Shall we look at the Scriptures' warnings for us (NIV)?
In Titus 1:7 and 11 Paul warned Titus that the elder/pastor is to not shamefully gain.
In Paul's letter to Timothy, he warns the overseer/pastor and deacons to not be a lovers of money, not loving silver ( 1 Timothy 3:3 and 8).
In 1 Peter 5:2, we read where Peter warns the elders to not be greedy for money.
What applies to our leadership should apply to the lay person, shouldn't it?

LET IT GROW

The elders of Israel rose up to handle it in their own way. They told Samuel to make us a king.
Why did Israel want a king?
Life Application Study Bible answers that question:

1. Samuel's sons were not fit to lead Israel.
2. The 12 tribes of Israel continually had problems working together because each tribe had its own leader and territory. It was hoped that a king would unite the tribes into one nation and one army.
3. The people wanted to be like the neighboring nations.

That is exactly what God did not want for His children. It would be too easy for them to forget God was their intended leader. It wasn't wrong for them to want a king, they just went about in the wrong way and wrong time. A king would symbolize power, security, and lead them into battle (Deut. 17:14,15). God even told Israel to set a king over them when they came into their Promised Land. However, the stipulation was that God would choose the man. He was to not be a foreigner, but one of them. He was to not accumulate large amounts of horses, gold, silver, or wives for himself.

Oh, Israel, you are going to live to regret this. Watch out for what you are asking. Don't do it. (We can read what a mess their Saul made during his reign as Israel's king. He perverted justice and charged taxes, plus trying to kill David, the anointed king by God. )

Are we careful what we ask of God? Are we carefully and prayerfully considering who to vote for as the next president of our nation?

LET IT GO

Pray for God's will, not my will.

Distinguish if it is for self-gain when I pray.

He Got Around

O. T. # 587  "He Got Around"
August 28, 2015
1 Samuel 7-Part 4
And he went from year to year...

LET IT GLOW

Do we grow weary being a Christian? Year after year, decade after decade, are we going and doing, in the service of the Lord? Are we staying in our own little world or do we get around, following Jesus to minister to the needs of others. Samuel got around. Although today's lesson only covers 3 verses, they are needful, or else God would not have included them, right?

How did Samuel get around to those cities? Did he walk, ride a donkey? Certainly there was no air conditioned van, no bus going to the cities where he ministered. In the scope of it all, it is not important, is it?

The hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. Did you read in verse 14 where the land which the Philistines had taken from Israel was returned?

The two cities mentioned, Ekron and Gath, became the eastern border of the Philistines. So the Philistines resided in the coastal plains, and the Amorites resided in the hills west of Israel between the Jordan Valley and the coastal plain. Israel was also at peace with the Philistines. (MacArthur)

Are we asking God to conquer our enemies and fill our land with His peace?


LET IT GROW

Apparently Samuel had an effect on the national revival in Israel. He reeducated the people in the laws of the Lord almost single-handedly. He played the parts of judge, priest, Levite, ruler, and prophet.

Samuel became a circuit preacher. Annually, he traveled to Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpeh, and return once again to Ramah, which allowed him to manage the affairs of the people as a judge.

Samuel was sharing the Word, the Laws of God with the people.
He delivered his people spiritually, not physically. Samuel prepared God's people for receiving David, the king of God's choice, and ultimately the Son of David, Jesus Christ. (Falwell)

Do we go around sharing Jesus, like Samuel did? Are we encouraging others to be faithful to God? How do others see us?


LET IT GO

Be faithful to God my own self, then encourage others to be faithful to God.

Share His faithfulness.

Raise YOur Ebenezer!

O. T. #584  "Raise Your Ebenezer!"
August 27, 2015
1 Samuel 7-Part 2
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizepeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12

LET IT GLOW

How has God helped you? Three times He has given me my breath of life back, allowing me to live. He has protected me from injuries, provided for me in needy times, answered my prayers, loved me back to Him whenever I strayed. Yes, He is my stone of help and I will raise my Ebenezer up to remind me of such. I am in the process of writing a book about the wonderful things my Savior has done for me, for His glory.
Samuel raise his Ebenezer up, too. Keep reading to find out why.

A slow national revival was stirring in Israel for 20 years. Under the direction of Samuel, they put away their idols. When Samuel started making offerings unto God at Mizpeh, the Philistines heard what was happening. Then Philistines drew near the city, determined to squelch this by attacking Israel. Of course, this frightened the Israelites.

So what did Israel do?

• They asked Samuel to Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that He will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.  (verse 8)
• Samuel took a lamb and offered it as a burnt offering unto the Lord and cried out unto Him for Israel.
• During that time the Philistines drew nearer to battle against Israel.

The Israelites looked only to God as their source for physical deliverance. The word save in Hebrew is the word yasha'. It is the name Joshua in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament. They both come from this same word-yasha, meaning Jehovah is salvation.
When we cry out to the Lord to save us from our sins, He will also deliver us.
[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

Do we cry out for God to save us from our sins and save us from our enemies?

LET IT GROW

Obviously the Lord was pleased with the offerings given to Him and His children seeking His deliverance. They had repented from sin, turned from idols, and were determined to obey God alone. Look what happened in verse 10 as He came through for them:

• The LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines. It threw them into a panic.
• The Scriptures said He discomfited the Philistines.  
•  The Lord did to His enemies by what was said by Hannah in  her prayer found in 2:10.
• He discomfited them.
• The Philistines were slaughtered by Israel along the way to a point below Beth Car.

Aren't there some words you like to say over and over, roll them off your tongue? Discomfited is one for me.
In the Hebrew language, discomfited means to make an uproar or agitate greatly; make a noise; destroy; move.

Yes sir, the Lord discomfited those Philistines! Thunder can have that kind of effect on a person, (cause you to panic) can't it? Especially when it is so close it rattles the windows, as was the case a couple of weeks ago at my house. The electricity went out immediately and remains so for 3 hours.

The Lord enabled Israel to do all of this. He gave the victory to HIs children. He fought the battle and gave the blessings.

What did Samuel do?

•  He took a stone and set it up between the cities of Mizpah and Shen. It was a memorial of God's great help and deliverance.
• He named the stone Ebenezer, which means stone of help.

The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

This was a temporary peace in the land. Although the Philistines did later attack Israel, this battle was a turning point in the relationship between the two nations. (D. Jeremiah)

During tough times, we may need to remember the crucial turning points in our past to help us through the present. Memorials can help us remember God's past victories and gain confidence and strength for the present. ( Life Application Study Bible)

Do we raise our Ebenezer when God gives us help?

I had to look up the song about this, which we used to sing in our services. It is entitled Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing. The second verse reads:

Here I raise mine Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I'm come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wand'ring from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.

[from: The Baptist Hymnal, 1991]


LET IT GO

Gonna raise my Ebenezer today! Gotta look for me a stone or something to remind me of His help.

Thank You Jesus for being my help and hope.

Praise You for seeking me when a stranger and wandering from Your fold.

Glory to Your Name for rescuing me with Your precious blood.

Put It in Its Place

O. T. #585  "Put It in Its Place"
August 26, 2015
1 Samuel 7-Part 2
Then the children of Israel did put away Baalm and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD.
1 Samuel 7:4

LET IT GLOW

Throughout the years, I have allowed things to become very important to me-my job, my family, money, my new car. Looking back, they did become idols in my life at various times. God is so longsuffering, patient, with me. I deserved His blowing me away, but He didn't. Eventually, I had a change of heart and He was first place. I had to put those things in their place. My God was #1.
It took Israel 20 years to work through that, also. They had to put their idols in their place-away, destroyed.

The Ark of the Covenant remained 20 years in Israel at the house of Abinadab, with his son Eleazar ministering to it. during tat time, Israel lamented after the Lord. Lament means moan, cry out loud, in Hebrew.

I wonder if Samuel was age 30 or 40 by this time. He was recognized as the prophet to whom God spoke. In addition to being a prophet, Samuel functioned as a priest, military leader, judge, and king as well.
What did Samuel tell the people of Israell?

• return to the Lord with all their hearts;
• put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among them;
• serve God.

Samuel told the people if they did those things, then  God would deliver them out of the hand of the Philistines. Israel did put away their gods and served the Lord only.

Shall we look around for any "gods" that we may have in our life? It may take on various forms, may not even have a physical form, such as a job or ministry, or we may be able to see it and touch it, like a house or car. Whatever form, if it has become more important in our life than God, then it is a god to us. do we spend more time with it, think more about it, than we do our God? Time to take inventory. What do I need to change or get rid of in my life, Lord?

LET IT GROW

So Samuel gathered all Israel at Mizpeh and he prayed for them. What else happened?

• They worshiped God by pouring out water, as an offering. It seemed to have pleased the Lord as an outward sign of their repentance in their heart. I Samuel tell us that God looks upon the heart.
• They fasted that day.
• They admitted sinning by saying, "We have sinned against the LORD."
• Samuel functioned as judge to the Israelites at Mizpeh.

Doesn't Satan always find a way to squelch our enthusiasm for the Lord? When those Philistine leaders heard about this, they went to Mizpeh. This frightened the Israelites.

We will pick up the story next time. What did Israel do next? Did they seek the Lord? Did they run or stand up to their enemies? What did the Lord do?

What do we do in our time of trouble? Are we willing to do things God's way? Even when it is difficult?

LET IT GO

Take spiritual inventory often.

Ask myself if I have anything in a place more important than God.

Repent of my sins.

If so, remove it or put it in its place.

Worship God only, the One who sits on His Mercy Seat.

Love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Enjoy fellowship with God as He leads me down the path He has for me today.



* Sorry for not posting yesterday. I had a doctor appointment. We are adjusting my medicine.

What's in Your Attic?

O. T. #584 "What's in Your Attic?"
August 24, 2015
1 Samuel 7
And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the Ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadabin the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the Ark of the LORD.
1 Samuel 7:1

LET IT GLOW

Is there a box hidden away in your attic? If so, it may hold  mementos, keepsakes, or unwanted items which bring back painful memories. There is an unusual item in our attic. It is the wooden leg which my father wore after he lost his leg in France during WWII. Needless to say, I don't go up there, so I have never thrown it away or burned it up. I haven't thought about it in years until now. I wonder if his black sock and everyday shoe are still on the end of it. I don't think I want to know bad enough to check. I'll just leave it there so some day when I am gone, my children will find it and be reminded of the sacrifice their grandfather made so they could enjoy freedom in America.

So what is in your attic? Actually, I am referring to the small place in your mind where you keep the door closed, even locked. You don't open it because it exposes painful memories of times you want to erase or forget. Friend, open that door to Jesus so He can help you forgive whoever or whatever needs forgiving by you. Then He will exchange your pain for the peace of God.
The Israelites had a box stored away in a man's house, it was the Ark of God. Let's take a peek.

After the bubonic plague killed so many Philistines due to their capturing the Ark of God, they passed it around to 5 cities, possessing it 7 months. These were idol worshipers, and they had many gods who were false. Yet they knew about the One True Living God of Israel.

Finally, the Philistines returned the Ark to Israel, who made an offering upon receiving it. The men at Beth-Shemesh sent word to the inhabitants of the city of Kirjath-jearim, which was near the battlefield, to come down and fetch it. this was done for the safe keeping of the Ark. So they did. For 20 years the Ark remained in the house of Abinadab. His son, Eleazar, for practical purposes, is the priest ministering to it. They were probably Levites. (Keep in mind, the Philistines destroyed the Israelite city of Shiloh where they had kept the Ark before taking it into battle (4:1-18).

How long have we been going to the same church? Do we attend services there out of habit or do we go to sincerely worship God?


LET IT GROW

Evidently, during this 20 year period, Israel neglected God and chased after foreign gods. After those 20 years, Israel returned to the Lord.  (MacArthur)

Falwell described this period as a slow national revival. Time and gradual restoration were required because of the deep moral depression prior to the death of Eli and the destruction of Shiloh.

Life Application Study Bible provides these insights:

Israel mourned, and sorrow gripped the nation for 20 years. The Ark was put away like an unwanted box in the attic, and it seemed as if the Lord had abandoned His people. Samuel, now a grown man, roused them to action by saying that if they were truly sorry, they should do something about it. How easy it is for us to complain about our problems, even to God, while we refuse to act, change, and do what He requires. We don't even take the advice He has already given us. Do you ever feel as if God has abandoned you? Check to see if there is anything He has already told you to do. You may not receive new guidance from God until you have acted on His previous directions.

Well, my husband says that we must go back and do the last thing God told us to do. They we will hear further instructions. What can I say?

LET IT GO

                                   ... of what ever is keeping me from total surrender and following God.
                                   ... of my wants and desires to do His will, His way.

Warning Others

O. T. #583  "Warning Others"
August 21, 2015
1 Samuel 6-Part 2
...because they had looked into the Ark of the LORD, even He smote...
1 Samuel 6:19

LET IT GLOW

It was fun to sing the song with my granddaughter about the 5 little monkeys jumping on the bed and falling off, bumping their head. Mamma called the doctor and he said for them to stop jumping on the bed. And then there was one. It wasn't fun to the Israeli city when so many died. It was a tragedy. Do we not realize when danger results in death or injury by the experience of others? Will we jump off the cliff if our friends do it? (How many times have we said that to our teens?) Why do we not head the warnings? So many diseases due to pleasures-smoking, drinking, drugs. Will we not warn our loved ones? 

After seven months of the Ark of God being with the Philistines, it was returned. As the Israeli men were harvesting wheat, they saw it coming on a new cart pulled by two cows. The Levites came and made a  burnt offering of the cows using the wood of the cart which carried the Ark and a large stone at the location. They placed the Ark upon the large stone as an alter. How exciting it must have been in the communities of Israel. The Ark of God represented the presence of God. Because God is holy and His glory is present at the Ark, it was no ordinary box.

Exodus 26 gives a description of the Ark as God instructed Moses to have it built. It was placed behind blue, purple, and scarlet embroidered curtains, the veil which separated the Holy of Holies room in the Tabernacle. The Ark itself was made of shittim wood, overlaid with pure gold, 3' by 2'; it had a Mercy Seat affixed to it on top; two cherubims of gold, each were at the end of the Ark. As I recall, Aaron's budding rod and the Tablets with the Ten Commandments, Moses' staff were placed inside.

Instructions were given to the Israelites concerning the Ark-only the Levites  of the family of Kohath were allowed to touch (move) it. No one was to touch any holy thing. (Num. 4:15)

Do we consider the Bible as a holy book? We used to call it the Holy Bible.
Holy means seperated, set apart.

1 Peter 2:9 describes believers as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people...

Are we a separated people, separated from the world, different, living by faith?

LET IT GROW

Well, there were men at the city of Beth-Shemesh who were curious. They look inside the Ark of God. The Word says 50,070 men did that and were killed. some commentators say it was 70 out of 50,000. However many it was, they died. This holy Ark was only to be touched by those certain men appointed by God, as mentioned previously. It is described as a great slaughter in verse 19, so it tend to think it was the higher number.

Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?
To whom shall He go up from us?

Although the men of this city knew God was holy, it did not make them want to be closer to God. It made them want to distance themselves from God. Who can they give this problem to so the holiness of God is no longer a burden to us? (Guzik)

One would think these men would have considered it a privilege to have God with them, but it was not so. Maybe they were afraid that they too would be killed.

Do we allow sin to separate us from God? It is through the blood of Jesus that we can come to Him, cleansed when we ask forgiveness. Are we letting others know the requirements of God for them?

LET IT GO

Bow before a holy God with the robe of Jesus blood covering me. (spiritually)

Respect God for being a holy God.

Meet with God in His Holy Word.

Listen as He speaks to me through it.

Alert others of eternity coming, and the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ.

Get It Out of Here!

O. T. #582 "Get It Out of Here!"
August 20, 2015
1 Samuel 6
What shall we do with the Ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.
1 Samuel 6:2

LET IT GLOW

There were Jews who were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley, on just an ordinary day, doing ordinary things. When they looked up, their eyes saw the Ark. Can you imagine the excitement? Now the cart had stopped beside a large rock in the field. Remember, 7 months had passed since the battle with the Philistines, when they captured the Ark. The Levites took down the Ark and gold objects, then placed them on the large rock. The people chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord there. The Philistines had destroyed Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was located. (When the 5 rulers of the Philistines, who had followed the cart, saw this, they returned to Ekron.)

When we have received a blessing, an answered prayer, a miracle, do we acknowledge God as the giver, thank Him, and worship Him? Or do we fluff it off as a coincidence, the doctors' abilities, or our doings?

How great is our God! He gives and He takes away.



LET IT GROW

Even though the Philistines won the battle with  killing 34,000 Israelites and capturing the Ark of the Covenant, their victory dance was soon changed into mourning. All 5 cities where they sent the Ark was plagued with tumors. God used rats to send these tumors upon the people, which resulted in death of many Philistines. The Ark was with the Philistines for 7 months. The people had had enough of God's judgment. They wanted it out of there. What could they do to appease the God of Israel so His hand of judgment would be removed? Where should they send the Ark?

They inquired of their fortunetellers for the answer:

• Send it back to Israel, but not empty handed.
• Send a trespass (sin) offering with it.
• Make 5 golden tumors and 5 golden mice to send with it. These were symbolic of the plague and a ransom money.
• The plan for transporting the Ark included using 2 newly mother cows, and a new cart. Pen up the calves so their mothers would go looking for them, pulling the cart. They did and the cows kept on the road, lowing all the way, not turning to the right or to the left. The Philistines followed behind the Ark.
• Funny how the pagans still recalled the plagues God brought upon the Egyptians, some 379 years earlier. Finally the Egyptians sent the Israelites out so they could go on their way.(v. 6)

The Philistines thought their problems were the result of their gods being angry. (They worshiped several pagan gods, and acknowledged the God of Israel as a god along with theirs.)
Are we crying on a road of misery, pain, or sorrow?
It was God who directed those nursing cows to the place He where He wanted the Jews to see the Ark.
Do we design our own methods of acknowledging God rather than serving Him in the way He requires, as the Philistines did?
Apparently the faith of some of the Israelites did not waver since they made an offering to God. It had been 7 months and many men's lives lost.

LET IT GO

Do things God's way.

Rejoice when God does extraordinary things.