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 Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” – 1 Samuel 7:3
Samuel strikes when the iron is hot. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Samuel is in the prime of his life. He is active in the reformation of the Israelites from idolatry. He is instrumental in praying for them against the invading Philistines over whom God gives them victory.
The ark of the Lord had been recovered from the Philistines and kept in the house of Abinadab for the next twenty years. The threat of the Philistines attacking Israel looms large. The people lament and show the inclination to turn to the Lord. Samuel is quick to act on this change of heart among the people.
Samuel calls them to do two things. First, the Israelites were to rid themselves of the idols and foreign gods in their midst. Two, they must commit to wholly serving the Lord and Him only.
We are called to remove idols from our lives. An idol is anything or anyone who takes precedence in our life, above God. We are to worship God and Him only. Some of the idols in our lives could be work, money, talent, power, career, friends, or even people and relationships. To serve God with a whole heart begins with taking time to know Him. Make it a priority to spend time with Him and His Word.
What idols are dividing your heart today?
Lord, help remove things that take more importance in my life over you, I pray.
Extended Reading — 1 Samuel 1-3
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