Israel was worshiping idols…again. They began regretting what they’d done and became sorrowful about the state of their lives. Samuel spoke to them and instructed them to get rid of their idols and come together so he could pray for them. They did. But the Philistines heard they were all together and came against them. Samuel cried out to God on behalf of Israel and offered a sacrifice and God sent thunder so loud that it confused the Philistines and they were overcome. I Samuel 7:13 says, “And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.”
Why was Samuel so effective?
1. He obeyed God. He was doing what God called him to do. He was judging Israel.
2. He called for repentance. He told Israel to return to the Lord with all their hearts.
3. He wasn’t soft on sin. He pointed out exactly what sin they were involved in—worshiping Ashteroth & Baal.
4. He knew how to approach God. He drew water and poured it out before the Lord. All of Israel fasted. He offered a lamb as a sacrifice. He kept crying out to God on Israel’s behalf.
5. When God answered his prayers, he set up a stone of remembrance.
Samuel was effective, faithful, persistent, and obedient. Because of that, God was against his enemies all the days of his life.
God, help me to be effective, faithful, persistent, and obedient.
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