Post by Emmanuel A. O. on Feb 25, 2013 0:29:21 GMT 1
Looking Back and Looking Forward. Text: 1 Samuel 7:1-12
“Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).
Life is short. However long a journey is, it must surely to come to an end. Most men wrongly hold that life will last forever only to discover in the long run that it is like vapour seen one moment, yet evaporates the next minute.
The children of Israel had suffered much from the hands of the Philistines because of their sin. They were in bondage of fear. The ark of the Lord captured by the Philistines had been released because of the wrath of God poured upon the idolaters. At Bethshemesh, the Lord had smitten the people and fifty-seven thousand died as a result of looking into the ark of the Lord. The men of Kirjath-jearim came and fetched up the ark and brought it into the house of Abinadab, consecrating Eleazer, his son to keep the ark. Looking back, the children of Israel were compassed about with so many occurrences of disaster, destruction and death. It was as if their future was bleak and hopeless. Then Samuel came and preached repentance unto them. They hearkened unto him and returned unto the Lord with all their hearts. Although the enemies that defeated them over the years came again, yet the Lord gave them a resounding victory.
Looking at your own life too, you might have passed through the valley of the shadow of death this passing years. It may also be that the devil and his agents have been making life difficult for you in your family, academics and business this year. Don’t give up. “Prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only and He will deliver you.”
God loves you. Jesus cares for you. Think of what the Lord has done for you hitherto. He will surely perfect everything pertaining to your life as you cross over to the New Year. If the Lord has not abandoned you thus far despite your many failings, indications are that He will perfect what He has started in you, once you make your calling an election sure.
Thought for the day:
Trials provoke triumphs which in turn mid-wife testimonies.
“Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).
Life is short. However long a journey is, it must surely to come to an end. Most men wrongly hold that life will last forever only to discover in the long run that it is like vapour seen one moment, yet evaporates the next minute.
The children of Israel had suffered much from the hands of the Philistines because of their sin. They were in bondage of fear. The ark of the Lord captured by the Philistines had been released because of the wrath of God poured upon the idolaters. At Bethshemesh, the Lord had smitten the people and fifty-seven thousand died as a result of looking into the ark of the Lord. The men of Kirjath-jearim came and fetched up the ark and brought it into the house of Abinadab, consecrating Eleazer, his son to keep the ark. Looking back, the children of Israel were compassed about with so many occurrences of disaster, destruction and death. It was as if their future was bleak and hopeless. Then Samuel came and preached repentance unto them. They hearkened unto him and returned unto the Lord with all their hearts. Although the enemies that defeated them over the years came again, yet the Lord gave them a resounding victory.
Looking at your own life too, you might have passed through the valley of the shadow of death this passing years. It may also be that the devil and his agents have been making life difficult for you in your family, academics and business this year. Don’t give up. “Prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only and He will deliver you.”
God loves you. Jesus cares for you. Think of what the Lord has done for you hitherto. He will surely perfect everything pertaining to your life as you cross over to the New Year. If the Lord has not abandoned you thus far despite your many failings, indications are that He will perfect what He has started in you, once you make your calling an election sure.
Thought for the day:
Trials provoke triumphs which in turn mid-wife testimonies.