Scripture

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth.. Determine to obey only the Lord, and he will rescue from the Philistines.”

Observation

The Ark of the Lord is taken to Kiriath-Jeairam where it remains for 20 years.

Samuel says to the people of Israel that they must get rid of their idols and obey only the Lord. The whole nation gathers at Mizpah where they consecrate themselves to the Lord.

The Philistines launch an attack on the Israelites. Samuel pleads with the Lord, and the Lord rescues them. The Philistines are subdued and Israel is at peace.

Samuel serves as a judge to the nation.

Application

If we are serious about following the Lord, we will need to get rid of all of our idols – the false gods that we turn to for comfort.

In the times of the Old Testament this was very easy to do. The idols were physical objects that represented a so-called god.

Our idols are very different. We rely on money, family, status, our job, so many intangible and good things.

To get rid of these idols does not necessarily mean to get rid of the things. No, we need to get rid of what they represent.

As christians, our trust is in the Lord, and the Lord alone. When we find ourselves becoming dependent on other things, then we need to repent and turn back to the Lord.

Prayer

Father, please show me the things that I have turned into idols and give me the grace to put them away. Amen