“She named the boy Ichabod, saying, ‘The Glory has departed from Israel.’” —1 Samuel 4:21

There’s an old Bruce Springsteen song that romanticizes the “Glory Days” that have passed one by. The artist concedes:

I hope when I get old I don’t sit around thinking about it
But I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
A little of the glory of, well time slips away
And leaves you with nothing mister but
Boring stories of… Glory days

Without the anointing of God’s Spirit in our daily lives (1 John 2:20-27), our stories can regress into nothing more than boring religious anecdotes of the past and drab accounts of antiquated spiritual memories.

In 1 Samuel 4, Israel was in a state of devastation. Her glory days appeared to be a cold and distant past—a fading memory. The priesthood, as far as the sons of Eli were concerned, had been polluted with corruption. The Philistines defeated Israel, killing thirty thousand of their men. Additionally, the two sons of Eli were killed as the Philistines captured the sacred ark of God. When Eli heard this news, he fell from his seat, broke his neck, and died. When his daughter-in-law heard of these events, she went into labor and died giving birth to a son. The child was named “Ichabod,” which means, “the glory is departed from Israel.” What a bleak time this was in their divinely decorated history—the glory of God was gone.

Israel had been brought low because of their own sin, and now God had removed His presence from them. They regarded the ark as the ultimate good luck charm, nothing more than a religious symbol, and believed they could not lose as long as they carried this ancient relic with them into battle. Their presumption was a delusion, their superstition a fallacy. They had been smitten by the same presumption of Samson (Judges 16:20), and the kind of deception that will come upon many people in the last days as they embrace a “form of godliness while denying” God’s transforming power (2 Timothy 3:5). They will cling to religion as a good luck charm while rejecting the true governance of Christ as Lord. They will talk about God as a “buddy” while never regarding His holiness, or speaking of the need for repentance. They have merely added a belief system to their minds while denying Jesus access to the throne of their hearts.

Charles Spurgeon wrote:

“Instead of attempting to get right with God, these Israelites set about devising superstitious means of securing the victory over their foes. In this respect most of us have imitated them. We think of a thousand inventions; but we neglect the one thing needful… They forget the main matter, which is to enthrone God in the life, and to seek to do His will by faith in Christ Jesus.”

God will never relegate Himself to being our good luck charm. And the new birth is more than an ancient memory. God longs to be a living and abiding presence in our daily lives, so that we never find ourselves reveling in some distant memory while missing what He wants to do in us and through us today. Think about that as you seek to abide in His presence this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive us of any presumption we may have in our hearts. Bring into the light any sin that has grieved the Holy Spirit in us, that we may have the humility to repent and be cleansed of things that have dishonored you. Revive our hearts to overflow with anticipation of stories you still want to write upon our lives today, miracles that you still want to perform, and greater things you still want to do in and through us. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for personal reflection, small group discussion, or dinner table conversations:

1. When are we most likely to become overconfident? What does the phrase “fear of God” mean to you?
2. What were the Israelite losses in battle before and after the priests brought the ark of the covenant to the battlefield? (1 Samuel 4:2, 10) After their initial defeat by the Philistines, what strategy did the elders of Israel take for granted in approaching the next battle? (v3)
3. How did the army of Israel react when the ark of the covenant arrived at the front? (v5) What reaction did the news of the ark’s arrival provoke among Israel’s enemies? (v7) How did the Philistine commanders motivate their troops to fight harder rather than be discouraged? (v9)
4. What became of the ark and the priests at the end of the battle? (v11) Of all the bad news reported to Eli, what was the proverbial “last straw”? (v18) What other family member ultimately died as a result of hearing the bad news? (vv19-20) How did the naming of Phinehas’ son relate to the worst outcome of the battle against the Philistines? (vv21-22)
5. Where might religious activity for God have replaced time with God in your daily life? Is there a sin of presumption of which you might need to repent?

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The post Ichabod and The Glory Days appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.” —1 Samuel 3:19

Not too long ago, I met someone for the first time who had read one of my books. During our conversation, that person recited to me specific things that I had written about in the book, even acknowledging they felt like they knew me because of that “print” knowledge they had read about. Yet to that point, we had not been in a mutual relationship with one another. Knowledge had been transferred, but a real life heart connection wasn’t there until we met in person. In a similar fashion, we can believe in Jesus and have a keen knowledge of His teachings, even do mighty works in His name, yet still be a stranger to His heart (Matthew 7:21-23).

In our third part of this devotional series in 1 Samuel, we see that even though Samuel had been dedicated to the Lord by his godly mother, Hannah, and was living in the temple, he still didn’t “know the Lord” (v.7). The Lord’s voice was foreign to the young boy. Surely he knew about Him, but had not yet come to know God intimately through a living personal relationship. Even children raised in a godly household with moral knowledge and spiritual disciplines must still experience the new birth of being converted by the Spirit of God (John 3:3), and learning the Great Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27). Jesus taught that this comes simply by asking in faith (Luke 11:9-13).

The Lord called upon Samuel at a time when spiritual revelations were “rare,” and visions were uncommon. As this story plays out, we see how critical it is to go all-out-for-God and to serve Him uncompromisingly in times when godly devotion is uncommon. Samuel’s first missional assignments would have huge implications on his people both spiritually and politically—declaring judgment on the rebellious house of a priest (Eli) and anointing the first two legitimate kings of Israel (Saul and David).

Though Samuel was a young worshiper, he learned early on that as a true prophet he must speak the words of God and never hide them. Speaking the truth in love may not be easy, but it is essential to growing up in spiritual maturity. God calls upon Samuel to warn Eli, an elder whom he respects, about the judgment that is about to come to his house “for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them” (1 Samuel 3:13).

Samuel was faithful in that he listened to God intently, was characterized as one who called on the Lord (Psalm 99:6), summoned his people to return to God, and never lost his compassion for them in doing so (1 Samuel 12:23-24). He was consistent, steadily growing up in the presence of the Lord, and growing in favor both with the Lord and also with man. Samuel didn’t just have the “print” knowledge about God while remaining a stranger to His heart; his intimacy with the Father grew deeper throughout the tenure of his life on earth.

Samuel is an example of how we should never settle for knowledge of God without genuine relationship with Him, or service for God without companionship with Him, but to consistently grow intimately in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Father, we want to know your heart, and not just your teachings. Holy Spirit, lead us into that intimate relationship of daily abiding and knowing, as we continue to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

Questions for personal reflection, small group discussion, or dinner table conversations:

1. What can cause people in our day to have a knowledge about God yet still remain a stranger to His heart?
2. What did Samuel assume about the voice he heard in the night? (1 Samuel 3:5) How many times did Samuel come to Eli before Eli realized what was happening? (vv8-9) How did Eli instruct Samuel to react to the voice he heard? (v9)
3. What future events did God reveal to Samuel that night? (vv11-12)What was unique about Samuel’s words as contrasted to those of the other priests? (v19) What was Samuel’s relationship with God like after God first spoke to him? (vv19-21)
4. What characteristics of the boy Samuel made him a suitable person to hear from God?
5. In what ways can you make yourself available to God this week, to know His heart more intimately, to hear His voice more clearly, and to grow in relationship with Him?

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The post Dedicated to God, But a Stranger to His Heart appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.” —1 Samuel 2:26

The classic Raiders of the Lost Ark movie is an epic tale set in 1936, as archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before Adolf Hitler’s Nazis can obtain it and weaponize it for world domination. In the film, the Nazi intention to use the “sacred” as a weapon was something akin to what Hophni and Phinehas were doing in the Old Testament.

As we continue our devotional series in 1 Samuel, we meet some PKs (preacher’s kids) who went off the rails in a really bad way. The Bible actually calls these sons of Eli “worthless men,” who did not know the Lord (though they served in a priestly office). Hophni and Phinehas had no regard for the things of God or the welfare of God’s people. They were counterfeit priests full of greed, self-serving scoundrels, who did not hesitate to use the threat of violence to get whatever they wanted. They were so brazen in their contempt for the sacred that they openly practiced sexual immorality at the tabernacle.

God rebuked Eli for “honoring his sons above the Lord” and allowing them to continue in their parade of desecration. “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.’” (1 Samuel 2:30)

Imminent judgment was coming upon Eli’s house and his wicked sons for their rebellion, yet God assured Eli, “I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.” This promise was partially fulfilled in Samuel as he functioned as a godly priest, replacing the sons of Eli. It was also partially fulfilled in Zadok, as he replaced Eli’s family line in the priesthood during the days of Solomon. But the promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as He became “a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek”—a sinless and perfect Priest who lives eternally to make intercession for us every day (Hebrews 7:12-25).

Corrupt and counterfeit religious leaders may still abound in our times, weaponizing the sacred for greedy and personal gain, but their un-priestly conduct in a priestly office will never hinder or thwart the progress of Christ’s eternal reign. Wherever there are crooked men like Eli’s sons, God has a Samuel on the horizon. I love this brief little distinction that is placed right in the middle of the story about these counterfeit priests: “Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man” (1 Samuel 2:26). What a distinction! As we read about last week, Hannah was a prayerful mother and a devoted worshiper who dedicated her child to the Lord, and it was paying off.

No matter how dark things may appear in the world today, God is still raising up young “Samuels” all around us—young people who live unashamedly for the Lord in a manner that is in stark contrast to the depravity of this generation. As prophesied in Joel 2:28… “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Yes, God is till raising them up, little boys and little girls, to audaciously proclaim the kingdom of God and hail the power of Jesus’ name in a world of desecration. Be encouraged by that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Almighty God, your presence is still sacred to us. Your holiness is still dear to us. Holy Spirit, consecrate our hearts to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Mark us with the distinction of Christ… that we will continually grow in the stature and favor of our God in godless times—to be your witness, and for your glory alone, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for personal reflection, small group discussion, or dinner table conversations:

1. What sins are particularly abhorrent when committed by religious leaders?
2. How does the passage describe Eli’s sons? (1 Samuel 2:12)How were the priests claiming more than their share of the people’s sacrifices? (vv13-15) If anyone sought to argue with them, how did the servants of the priests respond? (v16)
3. How did God propose to remedy the tragic situation in His house? (v35)
4. What characterized Samuel’s childhood years? (v26) In what ways should followers of Christ be characterized distinctly from those who do not know Jesus?
5. What can you do this week to position yourself to grow both “in stature and in favor with the Lord” and also with man?

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The post God’s Plans Transcend Man’s Corruption appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.” —Psalm 18:6

Morrow Graham was a woman of godly devotion. She regularly gathered the family together for scripture reading and prayer. Her son, Billy Graham, would grow up to faithfully proclaim the Gospel to more than 80 million people in his lifetime, leading millions of those souls out of spiritual bondage and into freedom in Christ. Billy once stated that of all the people he had ever known, his mother had the greatest influence on his life.

In 1 Samuel 1, we meet a woman of comparable spiritual muscle. She was a devout worshiper and a praying woman, but also a woman in deep distress. Childless and barren, Hannah was provoked to irritation by her rival, not for a few days or weeks, but year after year. Though her husband loved her greatly, he was still a bit insensitive to recognizing she had needs that he couldn’t fulfill (v8). Yet it is in the center of all this anguish that Hannah prays a prayer that will not only impact her circumstances, but the future of an entire nation.

While at the temple, “she was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’” (1 Samuel 1:10-11)

Note that Hannah was in bitterness of soul and great anguish, yet she took her struggle honestly to God in prayer. She cried out to the “Lord of hosts,” a term used some 260 times in the Old Testament and has the idea “LORD of the Mighty Armies.” She made a vow to the God of angel armies, promising that if the Almighty granted her desire, she would dedicate the child back to the Lord’s service.

Hannah prayed so fervently from the heart, moving her lips in sync spiritually yet without any audible words. This appeared so strange to Eli, the priest, that he presumed her to be drunk! Yet what a vivid picture this is that prevailing prayer isn’t always vocal, but effectual prayer can also be silent and in the heart. The posture of our heart before God is more vital to prayer than the specific words we choose.

Hannah assured Eli that she wasn’t drunk, but “a woman troubled in spirit… pouring out my soul before the Lord… for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Eli told her to go in peace, confirming that the God of Israel was going to answer her petition.

I love what happens next: “They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord.” Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, didn’t wait to see the prayer answered in a manifested way before they worshiped. They could genuinely worship the Lord in faith before the promise was fulfilled because worship wasn’t conditional to their circumstances; it was a consistent characteristic of their family’s lifestyle (1 Samuel 1:3, 19, 28). Worship isn’t about us “tipping” God for serving our needs or answering our prayers; it is the only rightful response to being in the presence of a holy God—Who is worthy of all our praise.

In due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son. She called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” After the child had been weaned, she made good on her promise and brought the boy to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, declaring, “I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” What an act of surrender this was for Hannah, trusting that the boy would fair so much better as an instrument in God’s hand rather than a child under her control.

Anytime God hears our prayers or responds to our need, it is an opportunity to give back to Him in one form or another. What might that idea of worship, surrender, fulfilling a vow, or giving back look like in your life this week?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you that you always hear us, even in our most distressful times. You are acquainted with the anxiety of our heart and you listen to our plea for help. Help us to find refuge not in your gifts, but simply in WHO you are. And when you do answer our prayers, God help us to be ready to honor you with a rightful response. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for personal reflection, small group discussion, or dinner table conversations:

1. Why is it often easier to make a promise than to carry it through?
2. How did Hannah explain her vow and its fulfillment? (1 Samuel 1:25-28) What was the prevailing emotion of Hannah’s prayer? (1 Samuel 2:1)
3. What is one trait of God’s character, which particularly inspired Hannah’s praise? (1 Samuel 2:2) How do the poor and downtrodden of the earth ultimately fare with God? (2:8)
4. Which of Hannah’s praises foreshadowed the coming of Messiah (Jesus)? (2:10)
5. In what ways can you remind yourself that God is the source of all good gifts, and how can that fuel your worship this week? What vow or promise to God do you need to see through to completion?

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The post Anxiety, and The Prayer of The Distressed appeared first on Jimmy Larche.