 Man. We got our butts whooped! Those Philistines came to fight and we lost thousands of men. So the elders of Israel hatched a plan. They decided that the Israelites needed to go and get the Ark of God. I guess they believed God would save them from the grip of their enemies. After all, HE had before. So they sent word and Eli’s two sons, good ‘ole Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the Ark of God to the camp. When the Ark was brought into the camp the Israelites shouted, and the shouts were like thunderclaps shaking the ground. The Philistines heard it, and learned the shouting was because the Ark had entered the Hebrew camp. The Philistines then panicked. The Philistines fearful conversation went something like this: God is come into their camp. Oh no! Oh no! We know about HIM. We know HE defeated the Egyptians. Wiped them out. We are doomed! Doomed! Doomed! Look at that. The Philistines initially became defeated in their own minds. But then someone started speaking to the Philistines in a different light. This Philistine began to tell them to knock it off! He basically told the Philistines to quit acting defeated. He told them to be strong and fight. You know what? The Philistines listened, and changed their way of thinking, and won. The Philistines won and captured the Ark of God. Who says defeat doesn’t start in the mind? I guess they never read First Samuel Chapter Four. The mind truly is a battle field. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz Think about what you are thinking. Joyce Meyer. Battlefield of the Mind. Defeat is a state mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality. Bruce Lee  And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed HIMSELF to Samuel at Shiloh by the Word of the LORD. 1 Samuel 3:19-21 ESV For awhile, God was silent. God provided little to no direction for HIS people. And then came Samuel. And maybe the silence of God, a hush that that fell over Israel, was just because God was waiting for someone HE could trust again. Someone who had a heart for HIM. Someone who would totally rely on HIM and walk in HIS ways. Someone who could lead HIS people. Today, I leave you with this: Let us hush the busyness of our lives so our hearts can hear and respond to the call of God. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz We translate learning into living and show, by our daily lives, that we trust God’s Word. Warren Wiersbe  The Lord told Samuel, Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of all who hear it shall tingle. On that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I [now] announce to him that I will judge and punish his house forever for the iniquity of which he knew, for his sons were bringing a curse upon themselves [blaspheming God], and he did not restrain them. 1 Samuel 3:11-13 AMP In 1 Samuel Chapter 2, God forewarns Eli that his time, and his family’s time, is up because of the evil Eli’s sons have committed, and the fact Eli tolerated it. Shortly thereafter God shares his plan with Samuel. God let Samuel know the plan and the reason for the plan. Imagine what Samuel might have been thinking: All this time I was wondering. I was wondering if maybe the times were changing and the new generation, you know Hophni and Phinehas, might be representing the new wave. I knew Eli taught me that the sacrifice is what the Israelites did to honor and show reverence to God. Eli explained how the primary kind of offerings required the slaughter of the animal and the blood was poured around the altar. The blood contained life. The blood is the vehicle of life. Eli said because the blood contains life, and because it is given to YOU in the process of pouring it about the altar, it becomes the means of expiating sin, as an offering for sin. That’s what Eli said. Eli told me that sin forms a barrier between YOU and us. I remember, one day, thinking, maybe Hophni and Phinehas were like the animals slaughtered. Maybe, they had bled to death. Maybe, somewhere along the line, they had become lifeless. After a long, solemn pause I imagine a big smile coming across Samuel’s face while thinking: But now I know! The temple. This is the place where God and man meet. This is where we come to worship God. This is a place where we show our adoration for all YOU have done for us. This is the place where we recognize Who YOU are and all that YOU have done for us by honoring YOUR ways. Wow, God! I didn’t realize how strongly you felt about what was going on. These are YOUR people. The Israelites. YOUR chosen people and not only were Eli’s sons disrespecting their Dad but they were dishonoring YOU. I get it. I get it now. After today, I will wonder no more. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz |
Hey There! I'm LizFounder of Ezra728 with a purpose of creating inspiring messages to strengthen and encourage primarily us gals across the globe. Guys, don't fret. You are definitely welcome, too. Archives
March 2021
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