14th.: Samuel’s Rapport with the Lord
Twenty years have passed since the Ark's return.
Hannah’s son, Samuel, began to judge Israel (1st Sam. 7:1-3).
He told the people of Israel to forsake worshipping the false religion of Baalim and Ashtaroth, which they did (1st Sam. 7:3-4). He called the people to gather in a town called Mizpeh
There they fasted and prayed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” (1st Sam. 7:6).
Then the Philistine wanted a fight.
The Israelites were afraid.
Samuel offered a burnt offering, and “cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.” (1st Sam. 7:8). God then used thunder to rout the Philistines, with the Israelites in hot pursuit. After this, the Philistines left the Israelites alone for a long time (1st Sam. 7:10-13).
On the surface, Samuel’s prayer was not much. His exact words were not recorded. But the rapport that Samuel had with the Lord had built for twenty years.
Samuel did not have to devise a ‘clever’ argument to convince the Lord.
He simply asked for help.
Let us purpose in our hearts to commit to spending many hours with the Lord, so that we too may have a similar rapport with the Lord.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (Jam. 4:8a)