…it's the start that stops most people!
Okay, I've been waiting to get to chapter 8, and now that we're here, I'm not sure where to start; there's so much in this passage.
Parenting, nepotism, corruption, unfit leadership, change for change sake, confrontation, following the ways of the world, rejection, obedience, majority rule, etc., let me chew on it and I'll get back to you in the morning.
Since July 31st I've been blogging my thoughts as I read through 1 Samuel. For those of you who have followed along I hope you have enjoyed it. If you just stumbled on to this page, then I would encourage you to read along with me and share your thoughts.
I finished chapter 7 this morning and here is what I noticed:
In those days judges (Samuel was a judge) handled disputes, delivered people from their enemies, taught people principles of the law, and decided on difficult matters of doctrine, lifestyle and worship.
It appears Samuel spent his life building people; he spent more time out among God's people than carrying out religious ceremonies. Eli waited on people to come to him; Samuel went out to the people.
I see too many church leaders who do the opposite, of which I have been guilty at times.
We spend so much time "pulling off" Sunday mornings or on programs that when people do come we call them "interruptions" in our day. Have you ever heard "ministry would be easy if it weren't for the people". I've heard too many church leaders say "it's about the weekend", no,
it's about people.
Or, ministry leaders you can't get to…that's a whole blog in itself.
Shouldn't we take our lead from people like Samuel, or Paul who said this;
"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our
lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
1 Thess 2:8
I can't let go of something this morning, this passage (1 Sam 7:2): "all Israel mourned because it seemed that the Lord had abandoned them."
They were no longer mourning for the Ark, but for the Lord himself.
As a nation, more importantly as God's people when was the last time that we mourned for the Lord himself? Think about it, in some ways it's still about the Ark; fill our churches, our schools, our whatever.
Are we serious about wanting to return to the Lord?
That is the question Samuel asked and the question I think we must ask of ourselves. When was the last time you were asked that?
Samuel didn't pull any punches; he came straight at the people with a challenge. He knew that God must be Lord of all, and that He would not tolerate rivals or false gods. He told them to get rid of them and obey only the Lord.
In your life who or what is your false god? Maybe you need some help to identify it; who or what do you look for to get your identity, security, purpose, joy, protection, etc. Is it a person, is it your vocation, is it money, what?
The Bible said the people destroyed the images and worshipped only the Lord, in other words, turn away from it/them as your god and turn to the one and only true God.
Samuel then summoned the whole group to fasting and prayer; he also stood before God privately for them.
This is not to be taken lightly, when you make this type of declaration you have to be serious, why?
Because you are going to get attacked! (1 Sam 7:7)
But, He is also our Rescuer!
A Franciscan prayer
Craig Groeshel recited at the end of his session today at the WCA Summit.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
AMEN!
How about the patience of Samuel? Come on, God called him, spoke directly to him, but then he has to wait 20+ years to lead?
At least that is the way we would view it.
I know in my own life, as a young leader I would have wanted to make things happen. "God's given me vision of what He wants accomplished, I've got to get busy making that happen."
If I was in Samuel's sandals I might have said, "What? You don't want me to take care of the Ark? Haven't you heard God spoke to me? (1 Sam 3:1-14) In fact, He speaks to me all the time
(v. 21). Hasn't everything I've told you been wise and helpful?
(v. 19) Come on, everybody knows that I am God's prophet!
(v. 20) I'm God's man; I should be taking care of the Ark?"
Samuel was recognized as a prophet but no one considered making him the custodian of the Ark. While Samuel was serving God in obscurity, God was preparing the hearts of the people.
As I grow older and hopefully wiser, I am learning (not there, yet) to wait upon the Lord. If you know me, you know I've long suffered from "destination disease", I want to get there! I'm learning that His plans are better than my own and that each day is about testing, training and spiritual growth.
Today is preparation for my next.
Leading in the Kingdom isn't about responsibility, it's about obedience.
Okay, this is a tough one this morning. Here is where I picked up reading – 1 Samuel 6:19-21.
19 But God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them,
Wow, that seems harsh, but here we go again, they knew that they weren't supposed to do that; it was strictly forbidden. "But we danced, sang, and gave offerings before the Lord! Can't we just get by with a peek?"
That sounds all too familiar.
And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. Luke 12:47
God didn't kill them to be cruel; He did not want the whole cycle of disrespect, disobedience and defeat to start all over again. God killed them because overlooking their sin would have encouraged the entire nation to ignore God.
20 and the men of Beth Shemesh asked, "Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?
God answers that question for us:
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest,
and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever. Psalm 15:1-5
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matt 5:8
The requirement for standing and ministering has not changed, even though we may downplay the issue of personal holiness, God doesn't.
In God's eye, your character comes before your charisma.
