March 16, 2025 - 1 Samuel 4-7

Fighting against the Philistines.  The ark captured.  The death of Hophni and Phineas, Eli’s sons.  And, then, the death of Eli himself.  Bad times.  The times were bad because the people were bad.  They had promised to follow the Lord but then turned to idols.  What could possibly be the solution?  Samuel knew:   “And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, ‘If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.’  So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only” (7:3-4).  When we think of repentance, of course, our minds turn quickly to David and his confession, sorrow, and turning from his great sins.  What an amazing cry to the Lord and plead for forgiveness:  “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;     according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” (Psalm 51:1-2)  A big difference between David and Israel, however, is that his repentance lasted a lifetime whereas Israel, over and over again, turned away from the Lord.  Nevertheless, the lesson is clear:  God welcomes the repentant sinner/nation and forgives those who entreat him.

Our Lord, who knows full well

The heart of every saint;

Invites us, by a parable,

To pray and never faint.

He bows His gracious ear,

We never plead in vain;

Yet we must wait, till He appear,

And pray, and pray again.   –John Newton (1779)