1 Samuel 7: Discipline

We read that for twenty years the Israelites sought after God. I would conclude any seeking after God is a good thing, but then Samuel brings the wood to the people of Israel. After twenty years of seeking God, Samuel needs to speak strongly into their lives about removing idols from their homes, being grounded in God and worshipping God alone. It would become easy to be critical here about the Israelites. Twenty years of pursuing God and your home is still full with idols? The people of Israel respond to Samuel’s strong words of correction and they repent. Israel continues its cycle; a turning from God, followed by oppression that brings repentance and results in deliverance.

I see two clear red flags for us as we read this passage of scripture. When was the last time you checked your house for idols? These Israelites were seeking God for twenty years and their own homes remained filled with other gods. We are all drawn to that something that creeps in and slowly moves God from his rightful place. Identify what that is for you. For some it is sports that keep you from coming together with the body to worship corporately. Maybe you have a work addiction and can’t seem to push yourself away from your desk long enough to open the Bible. What keeps you from the disciplines that God calls us to?

Secondly, the Israelites repented. How do you react when you hear a strong challenge from a brother or sister in Christ? Do you discredit what they say or become defensive in your position? Perhaps you strike back and go on the offensive. We all have an automatic defense mechanism that kicks in. Iron sharpens iron only when pressure and friction is applied in a correct way. It comes along side of and helps smooth out the rough edges. It does not strike bluntly as that only dulls a blade, not sharpens it. How you respond to this pressure when it is applied to you is vital. We must be willing to hear the hard stuff about our own lives and repent, because repentance brings deliverance.

Posted by Jim