Day 99 – 1 Samuel 4-8

Talking Points

• Just as the LORD had told them, destruction comes to Israel as they fight the Philistines. The people did not obey or honor God, but instead, they believed they could treat the ark as a good luck charm or superstitious idol. They placed their trust in it, rather than in God.
• The Philistines seem to revere God more than His own people, as they remember His power in dealing with Egypt.
• After capturing the ark, the Philistines realize it was a mistake. They return the ark to escape God’s judgment.
• Samuel calls the nation of Israel to return to the LORD with all their hearts and remove any idols. He calls them to serve God alone. When they followed his call, God’s hand was against the Philistines.
• Israel wants a king. God warns them of the troubles that will follow, yet they persist. The LORD tells Samuel to listen to them, because they had rejected Him as King. Isn’t it just like us to overlook what we have in God and to seek something less than?

Thoughts

From the beginning, every person struggles with trusting God. We listen to His adversary. We trust our own logic. We make our own plans. We think we can build something with our own hands to worship. We would rather make a name for ourselves. We try to worship Him according to our own ambitions and desires. We look to false gods. We trust our own strength. We ignore His warnings and His commands. Truly, we don’t trust the LORD.

And, yet…

Do you see it? It’s through the whole of Scripture. The LORD provides the way of deliverance, the way of salvation. God’s patience, love, and mercy is made clear. He proves His faithfulness again and again. His plan moves forward, in spite of us. His promises are fulfilled in His perfect timing. His call to trust Him doesn’t change.

When I read the Israelites’ words, as they long for a king who may judge them and go into battle before them, I want to scream, “You have a King!” And, then, I think of my own heart. During times of darkness, am I trusting Him? On days filled with uncertainty, do I look to my own logic? When I look around me, do I consider other ambitions or desires more appealing than His ways? Am I overlooking the King I have and longing for another king?

Today, may we remember that we have a King. His name is Jesus! May we trust Him with all our hearts.