The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
1 Samuel 4-8
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: 1 Samuel 4-8
Israel was now so far from the truth of God that they had two evil priests leading them to use the Ark of the Covenant as a sort of magical object to give them military victory. The irony is that the Ark, an ornate “box,” contained the very Word of God. They had rebelled against God’s Word but thought they could ensure victory through the box. The further irony is seen in that the Philistines had more reverence and fear for the glory of God than did Israel. This theme of departed glory is carried through the narrative in the death of Eli and the birth of his grandson named Ichabod (means “where is the glory?”). The glory of God is a fearful thing to those who do not submit to him. The Philistines had to help their “god” up from the ground after it fell on its face to God’s glory. They soon began to suffer judgment for trifling with holy things that they did not understand. They sent the Ark away, where it sat in storage for twenty years. Finally, Israel returned to the Lord, and Samuel, Israel’s last judge, led them in the process of repentance. Just when you think Israel finally has a good and godly judge, you read that Samuel turned a blind eye to his sons’ wickedness and even appointed them as his successors. Israel foolishly believed that their problem was the lack of a king, rather than the lack of hearts submitted to THE KING. God granted them their king but warned them that it would not be what they hoped it would be. God allowed his people to have what they demanded. We should be terrified to consider that God may give us what we demand and not what we most need. We must pray, “Not my will but yours be done!”
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Hope’s Gate. Ask God to use this ministry to bring the message of the gospel to women working in the sex industry. Pray for the Easter gifts that will be given soon. Pray that the women who receive the gifts would know that they are loved by God.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.