Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 7:3
1 Samuel 7: says, “And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, ‘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.’” This passage contained a message from Samuel to the people of Israel.
What was that message?
Stop sinning and obey God! Commit yourselves to God! Get serious about not sinning!
Samuel realized that for the people to simply say with their mouths that they wanted to obey God wouldn’t be enough. It would be like going out in the rain and saying that you won’t get wet. Just saying that you don’t want to get wet won’t keep you dry. If you truly want to stay dry you have to get serious about doing the things that will help keep you dry – put on a raincoat, carry an umbrella, wear boots, etc.
Samuel knew that the people needed to determine deep in their hearts to be totally committed to doing things God’s way. They had to focus completely on obeying God and get serious about not sinning. They needed to do the things that were necessary to protect themselves from sin – study God’s word, pray, learn from godly teachers, etc.
Get in out of the “rain” of sin. Get serious about obeying God.
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:5 & 6
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m serious about wanting to serve and obey You. Forgive my sins. Help me to live Your way. In Jesus’ name.