April 6, 2014 - Sunday

Start Time: 7:09 A.M.

End Time: 7:37 A.M.

Title: Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1 – 17

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtorethsand commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.”  When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader^[a] of Israel at Mizpah.

NOTES:

Ø God prepared Samuel to take over the priesthood when the right time came!  God knows everything and has planned for every steps of our journey in this world.  He ensured that Samuel, who is not a levite and from the tribe of Ephraim, was ready and aware of the duties of the priest.  Samuel lived most of his life in the service to Eli and the temple so he was exposed to his role even as a small boy.  God does the same to us.  He prepares us for our role and many times, we are just unaware but He has been preparing us since we were children.  Seek God and He will reveal our purpose at His right time!

→When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.  While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.  Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,^[b] saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines. The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.  Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life.  From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the Lord.

NOTES:

Ø God’s answer is Victory to our cry!  God brings victory with Him in our every battle!  He speaks for His people and lead them to victory from those who stole from us and oppress us.  He is the God of vengeance and when He operates, He operates in great wonders that lead to victory.  Hallelujah!  Praise Jesus for in Him there is victory.  No worries or concerns we have can limit or hinder God’s victory in our lives.  The key is to call upon Him.  Samuel receives God’s answer because he cried out to God.  We need to cry or call out upon Him to get our answers! 

Ø Only a God-filed or Spirit-filled man can be a true leader of God’s people for only then will our enemy stop pursuing us, when we have a Spirit-filled leader in our lives!  We need to have a God or Spirit-filled life so the enemy can never pursue us thru our lifetime.  Our enemy will be subdued by us when we are led by the Lord.  So our goal is to be filled by God’s Spirit for it is only in Him that we have victory!  Praise Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, amazing God, my conqueror and King.  Father, I adore You for there is no one like You, ever!  Thank You Lord because You have prepared us for our role since we were born.  Thank You because I have a purpose and role in this world and I am being prepared for it as I continue on with my journey in this life.  Thank You because You have planned everything and You will never leave or forsake me always.  Thank You Jesus for Your answer to my cry is Victory.  Thank You because most of the time, even before I cry or call upon You, You heard my heart already and have given me the answer.  Thank You Jesus because You are sensitive to my heart and mind.  I want to be Spirit-filled Lord.  I want my life to be filled by You so the enemy can never pursue me anymore, throughout my lifetime.  Thank You because Your presence in me will subdue my enemy and break them totally.  Jesus, thank You for Your love and grace that pours out on me and open my eyes to always see it every day!  Let me see things thru Your eyes Lord.  Help me to be filled by You at all times.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!