Wed 01Apr09 1 Samuel 7: 1 - 17 RSV
Put away, direct and serve . . .
Samuel prophesied, telling the Israelites that they should put away idolatry from among them, direct their heart to the LORD and serve Him only.
When the people of Israel obeyed God, they gathered at Mizpah to fast and pray, confessing their sins, the LORD delivered them from the marauding Philistines - though initially Israel was almost overcome with apprehension and urged Samuel to perform an offering and cry out to the LORD. (v 5 - 11)
Coming across this passage today appears to me as a reminder from the Lord to send myself for a spiritual check-up, perhaps like sending an old vehicle for a 100,000 mile service. After being a Christian for 34 years, it's time to stop and do some soul-searching, to put away idols that have subtly, perhaps unwittingly, been allowed into my life, to direct my heart to the Lord and to serve him only (v. 3).
