IT’S DIFFERENT NOW

• DAY 156
• FEAR FILES: THE ISRAELITES
• SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 7

“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 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.” So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. And Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah, the Lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭5‬, ‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In our text today the children of Israel are threatened by The Philistines, a formidable enemy that had defeated them in the past and continued to oppress them since. 20 years before this text they had attacked Israel, killed the sons of Eli and captured the ark of God. That decision caused them so much harm that they had to return the ark of the covenant to Israel in order to survive. When it arrived Israel it was kept in the home of Abinadab and the Israelites wanted it back in it’s place. They pleaded with God and finally He responded through Samuel.

Return

He called them to repent and turn to Him. To abandon their sinful ways and put away their idols so that they can be one with Him again and He will deliver them from the oppression of the philistines that had lasted 20years. And they agreed.

This might be a good place to tell those of you that have walked away from the Lord and faced countless defeat to return and be saved. Put away the idols that you have erected and let God be first place and Lord in your life again. Casually attending church and living for yourself won’t cut it. Your whole heart needs to be turned over to the master. Do it now.

A Threat

The Israelites repented and fasted and came together to meet with God. It was a beautiful reunion ceremony. Problem was that their enemy heard that they had gathered and thought this was the right time to attack. They didn’t ask why they gathered, they were not diligent enough to inquire. They assumed that Israel was the same way, and they could take them on like they had done before. That assumption was an error and they soon discovered this.

Same way your enemies are about to discover that you are not the same person they defeated months ago. You are not weak and defenseless like years ago. While they gloried in your defeat you reconciled with your defender and now it won’t be the same fight.

A Different Fight

Sometimes we face our biggest threats when we decide to live for the Lord. It’s like the enemy launches an all out attack on us. And our hearts might begin to fear. Just like the children of Israel were afraid because of their enemies. We might wonder why we are facing this same enemy even after we made things right with God.

What we fail to realize is that things have changed. We didn’t consider that the renewed threat might be a divine trap to destroy the enemy and not an attempt at our defeat. But we have been oppressed for so long that fear is our only response.

Beloved, those who are at peace with God have no need to fear. The tough days and constant defeat you faced before passed away the moment you remembered your Lord. So take courage and instead of panic, pray. Run to God like Israel did and see how He will thunder against your enemies. Your defender is a great warrior and He will defeat all your foes.

Pray

Take a moment now to examine where your relationship is with God. And repent we’re necessary. Also present that which has your heart concerned before the Lord and trust Him to come through. Pray In Jesus name.

Shalom