I Samuel 7:12-14
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.
Today we remember Samuel, God’s prophet and leader in Israel. Often when considering Samuel in the Sunday readings of the Church, we hear of Samuel’s call to serve as a young boy. Today, we will hear of Samuel’s leadership in Israel and how God used Him to bring peace to Israel.
Often, in thinking about leadership and peace, we are drawn to emphasize a leader’s intelligence or shrewdness. These do have their place, but they are not the main thing. Peace between nations comes from the Lord. God’s Word teaches that the leader who honors the Lord and instructs His people to do likewise, is the one who brings God’s blessings. On the national scene, the foremost of those blessings is peace.
Israel had been battling surrounding competitors, and losing. The people, at last, were so frightened that they asked Samuel to intercede with the Lord for them. Samuel didn’t simply give them advice about how to win battles or negotiate with their neighbors. Instead, Samuel confronted the people over their idolatry. They worshipped false gods, were involved with impure practices, and were offending the almighty God through their many sins. They could never hope to have blessings, much less peace, if they were not living in faith towards God. Samuel instructed them to repent and put aside their sinful practices. He then offered a sacrifice for the sins of the people. God heard the prayers, forgave their sin, and gave them victory over their enemies and a lasting peace in their region.
What can we learn from this page from the history of God’s people. Just this: when we are coming to the Lord and asking for blessings, we must first consider our own standing before the Lord. Are we involving ourselves in persistent sin and walking apart from faith in God? Since such sin is idolatry, should we not also repent? How shall we expect that we will have any good thing from the Lord if we treat Him with idolatrous contempt?
Thanks be to God, Jesus Christ has come as our prophet, priest, and King. As our prophet, Jesus stands in the place of Samuel and preaches repentance and faith in God. As our High Priest, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world when He died on the cross for us. As our King, Jesus will come again in glory at the resurrection to condemn all enemies of His people and to receive those who trust in Him into eternal life. Jesus will grant everlasting life and everlasting peace.
Consider a faithful leader like Samuel, and then remember Jesus. Examine your own life, repent of your sins, receive God’s forgiveness, and then watch how the Lord Himself will bring the blessings that He has chosen for you today. And anticipate the blessings that your Lord Jesus will bring to you for all eternity.
Let us pray,
I thank you Lord God for the faithful ministers you provided for your people, like your servant Samuel. Help me to listen intently to your Word so that I will receive all the blessings that you intend for those who trust in Jesus. I also pray for faithful leadership for our nation. Direct, correct, and guide our country so that we will repent of our sins, have peace with other nations, and joyfully give you all glory. I pray in Jesus name. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.