7 1 So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all.
Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah
Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.
Samual was a grown man now. He roused up the people to action. If they were truly sorry, they would do something about it. Do you complain about your problems and refuse to do anything about them? Do you ever feel as if God has forgotten you? Have you put other things or people before God and made them top priority. Take time so check to see if there is anything he has already told you or if you have missed an open door that he has provided. If you have not acted on previous guidance, he is waiting for you to do so. You must not let anything in your life rival God’s first place in your life. If you have placed materialism first in your life, ask God for help in dethroning all the stuff you put first. Make God your first and true priority and you will learn your life’s direction. This brings glory to God and brings blessings to you.
