April 7, 2006 - I Samuel 7-9 and Luke 9:18-36
Have you ever experienced a time of revival in your life? Was it a personal revival or a real church revival where a lot of people truly got right with God? Wasn't it a glorious time? How long did the results of the revival last? All of these factors are a part of this passage. I believe it will help you to think back about your personal experiences with revival as you read and apply these truths. I pray that you will allow the Spirit to speak to you and bring another time of revival in your life.
In chapter 7 Samuel calls Israel to repent from worshiping idols and to turn back to God completely. (v.3) The people respond with fasting and confession. They begin to worship God in sincerity. God comes to them in power and gives them victory over their long time enemies, the Philistines. God continued to bless during Samuel's time of judging Israel. For a while they experienced the type of fellowship with God that He wanted them to have all of the time. They experienced His blessings, because their hearts were focused on Him. That is what God wants for all of us to experience continually.
However, in chapter 8 we see that Samuel's sons had departed from God's will, and the people wanted a king. They had forgotten how God fought for them, and they won a glorious victory enjoying peace for years. They wanted to be like the other nations and have a king to fight their battles for them. God told Samuel that this was simply a rejection of God. It was not because of what Samuel had done. The revival had faded. People went back to their sin. People rejected God's ways. This shows us that revival is never permanent. It is something we need all the time. Samuel was the only one who continued steadfastly in his relationship with God. Therefore, God spoke clearly to him, and he did not depart from God. That is the solution to falling away from the Lord. We need daily revival.
Chapter 9 shows us how God prepared them a king. He was handsome and tall. That is what the world looks for, and that is what the people wanted, so that is what God gave them. We must be careful when we ask God for what we want. He may give it to us to teach us submission to Him. It will not be a pleasant experience. Saul was not a bad man, but he was not a spiritual person, either. He was the kind of person that people who are far from God would choose to lead them. Can you remember the choices you have made when you were far from God? Why would you choose to follow a man instead of God? Why would you want someone else to fight for you, when you could have God fight for you? It is crazy, isn't it? Remember, sin makes you stupid. Stop, and turn back to God and His Word. That is the only right way to live.
Luke 9 tells us of a glorious time for some of Jesus' disciples. They knew He was the Christ. He told them that He would die and rise again the third day. Then, He took a small group up on the mountain, so they could see His glory. They got a glimpse into eternity. There was Moses and Elijah. What a revival! However, the idea to build three tabernacles and just stay there on the mountain was not a good one. What did they need to do? Listen to Jesus. Walk with Him each day. Obey Him, and every day could be a glorious day. He would fight for them and bless them. Are you walking closely with Jesus each day listening to Him, or are you in desperate need for revival? If you need revival turn to Him with fasting and confession. Turn away from self and your idols. Never go back to the old ways. Walk with Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 10-12 and Luke 9:37-62.
In chapter 7 Samuel calls Israel to repent from worshiping idols and to turn back to God completely. (v.3) The people respond with fasting and confession. They begin to worship God in sincerity. God comes to them in power and gives them victory over their long time enemies, the Philistines. God continued to bless during Samuel's time of judging Israel. For a while they experienced the type of fellowship with God that He wanted them to have all of the time. They experienced His blessings, because their hearts were focused on Him. That is what God wants for all of us to experience continually.
However, in chapter 8 we see that Samuel's sons had departed from God's will, and the people wanted a king. They had forgotten how God fought for them, and they won a glorious victory enjoying peace for years. They wanted to be like the other nations and have a king to fight their battles for them. God told Samuel that this was simply a rejection of God. It was not because of what Samuel had done. The revival had faded. People went back to their sin. People rejected God's ways. This shows us that revival is never permanent. It is something we need all the time. Samuel was the only one who continued steadfastly in his relationship with God. Therefore, God spoke clearly to him, and he did not depart from God. That is the solution to falling away from the Lord. We need daily revival.
Chapter 9 shows us how God prepared them a king. He was handsome and tall. That is what the world looks for, and that is what the people wanted, so that is what God gave them. We must be careful when we ask God for what we want. He may give it to us to teach us submission to Him. It will not be a pleasant experience. Saul was not a bad man, but he was not a spiritual person, either. He was the kind of person that people who are far from God would choose to lead them. Can you remember the choices you have made when you were far from God? Why would you choose to follow a man instead of God? Why would you want someone else to fight for you, when you could have God fight for you? It is crazy, isn't it? Remember, sin makes you stupid. Stop, and turn back to God and His Word. That is the only right way to live.
Luke 9 tells us of a glorious time for some of Jesus' disciples. They knew He was the Christ. He told them that He would die and rise again the third day. Then, He took a small group up on the mountain, so they could see His glory. They got a glimpse into eternity. There was Moses and Elijah. What a revival! However, the idea to build three tabernacles and just stay there on the mountain was not a good one. What did they need to do? Listen to Jesus. Walk with Him each day. Obey Him, and every day could be a glorious day. He would fight for them and bless them. Are you walking closely with Jesus each day listening to Him, or are you in desperate need for revival? If you need revival turn to Him with fasting and confession. Turn away from self and your idols. Never go back to the old ways. Walk with Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 10-12 and Luke 9:37-62.