1 Samuel 7

"And the sons of Israel said to Samuel, Do not cease from crying to Jehovah our God for us, so that He will save us out of the hand of the Philistines" 1 Sam 7:8.

The book of Job is a wonderful book which gives us loads of insight on spiritual warfare. In that book it helps clarify a false belief. Job was tested not because he was doing what was wrong, but because he was following the Lord. This is true spiritual warfare. Yet in this chapter of 1 Samuel we read that because Israel put away their false gods and cried out to God that He drove out the Philistines. How does it work? When we follow God are we then tested or saved? If we follow God are we blessed or are we forced to sacrifice? Suggestions... (Hit comment box)

I like what Chuck Smith tells us, 'If you have not drawn closer to God today than you were yesterday, you have backslidden.' The Lord chastens those He loves. He desires to see you draw closer to Him. It is amazing what the Lord will do to drive this point home. If He knows your desire in your life is to draw closer to Him he will take away all the rest. This is what happened to Job. However, if you are a backslidden or lost soul, His desire is simply to restore you.

Israel was backslidden. They needed to turn away from their idols. Fortunately, the last judge and first prophet, Samuel, had led them toward the Lord. The had given up all the idols and worshipped the one true God. Still, that one foe still stood in their way, the Philistines. Time after time they had come to this place. They were having to once again put their faith in something. Well, their gods were gone. They had tried to bring out the ark before but that did not work. They were left to one resort, "...DO NOT CEASE TO CRYING TO THE LORD OUR GOD FOR US..." And the Lord did not disappoint them, but instead took care of the Philistines and gave them a mighty victory.

You guys want to draw close to the Lord. Consequently, God is going to take you to this place like Job, where He will take away those things you do not need. Think about it...do any of you guys have a Philistine in your life. Do any of you have this one enemy, sin, trial you cannot get over. Do what Israel did, give it all away until all you have is Christ. Then you too will be forced to do one thing, cry out to the Lord without ceasing. I realize my life needs to be at this place, yet more often than not I am complaining when the Lord sends trials into my life. I find myself saying, "The Lord gives, now why in the world is He taking away!" Instead I need to pause and cry out to the Lord. When I am focused on Jesus I find the Lord always gives me the desires of my heart. If you too need help conquering that one foe, cry God and allow Him to be your mighty victory.

Jars of Clay's Song "Silence":
Take...Take till there's nothing...Nothing to turn to...Nothing when you get through. Won't you break...Scattered pieces of all I've been...Bowing to all I've been...Running to. Where are you?