Samuel’s Stand A Nation’s Return to God | 1 Samuel 7:3-4

Do we need a move by God or a move by man?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration."

Yesterday, we left off with a stark truth: If you choose moral flexibility, God will allow it. But be warned, you will be living without God. This lifestyle, devoid of God's presence, carries significant spiritual and national implications. I believe this is the critical juncture we find ourselves in today. Then we read this in 1 Samuel 7:3-4:

And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only. — 1 Samuel 7:3-4

For me, the pivotal moments of Chapter 7 are both in verse 3, "And Samuel..." and "If you..."

After twenty long years, a man of God, Samuel, rises to the moment. Scripture is silent here on why it takes twenty years. But I know that when we are left to our sin, we have to get well beyond the short-lived rewards of sin to see the consequences before a person or a nation turns back. Some see it sooner than others only because they have seen the cycle before. But most of the time, it takes us a while to see the devastating consequence of sin.

Yet, amid this national and spiritual crisis, our leading man, Samuel, stands up and proclaims a return. It's not a return of the Ark of God but a return of Israel’s wayward heart to God. Moving the Ark of God around is not going to help. What is needed is a movement of their hearts to God. And Samuel declares this movement has three features:

First, they need to “put away” the beliefs and practices they have adopted over the last twenty years.
Second, they need to "return to the Lord,” which is not a show of sadness and worldly regret but of turning back to God and away from the lifestyle they have adopted.
Third, the need to do it “with all their heart” demands a single-minded, wholehearted commitment to God.
I think our culture and time long for a fresh move by God. But too many believers wrongly assume that God needs to spark this movement. Instead, Samuel clarifies that God has not moved. It's the nation that has moved. What they need to do is return to the God they have moved away from. It's a return that must be characterized by the features listed here.

The way to start is by making a move. Is there a belief or practice you need to let go of to fully return to the Lord with all your heart? What is the practice that has become an idol? What steps will you take today to rid your thoughts, attitudes, and actions of it? And what new thoughts, attitudes, and actions are you committed to bringing to the Lord? After you do this, share it with others and invite your family, church, and community to join in.

#RepentanceRevival, #ReturnToGod, #SpiritualRenewal

Ask This:
What beliefs or practices in your life have subtly taken the place of God's rightful place in your heart? How can you actively "put away" these distractions to return wholeheartedly to God?

Reflecting on Samuel's bold stand and call for national repentance, what steps can you take today to lead others in your influence toward a more profound commitment to God?