THE LONG WAY HOME (7 OF 27)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:2-17
This content is part of a series.
The Long Way Home (7 of 27)
Series: Calling All Leaders
Keith Krell
1 Samuel 7:2-17
Have you ever walked away from God? Perhaps someone close to you died and you blamed God for your loved one's passing. Over many months and years you struggled with anger and hurt because you didn't want anything to do with a God who would seemingly prematurely take your loved one. Maybe you experienced a devastating divorce and felt deserted by God. You may have been the victim of adultery and your spouse left you for someone else. Now you're left to raise your children as a single parent. Perhaps you walked away from God because you chose to live a life of sin. Sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, greed, or laziness consumed you and turned your heart far from the Lord.
Sadly, walking away from God is common among Christians. Some of the top leaders in our church have spent many years as wayward believers far from God. Such men and women have recognized the absolute futility of walking away. The wasted years have brought about a greater resolve to serve the Lord with whatever time remains. These men and women would urge you not to make their same mistakes. Sin may be fun for a season (see Heb 11:25), but eventually its pleasures prove unsatisfying. Today, you may be far from God. If so, come home to your Father. The principal question of 1 Samuel 7 is: What does it take to return to the Lord? The brief answer is that believers need to turn back to the Lord. This text teaches that God helps those who honor Him.
1. Samuel calls Israel to repent (7:2-4). Our account begins in 7:2: ''From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.'' Twenty years had passed since the ark came to Kiriath-jearim. During that time, the Israelites forgot their God. Nonetheless, over the course of two decades, God waited patiently and silently for Israel to feel their spiritual hunger and return ...
Series: Calling All Leaders
Keith Krell
1 Samuel 7:2-17
Have you ever walked away from God? Perhaps someone close to you died and you blamed God for your loved one's passing. Over many months and years you struggled with anger and hurt because you didn't want anything to do with a God who would seemingly prematurely take your loved one. Maybe you experienced a devastating divorce and felt deserted by God. You may have been the victim of adultery and your spouse left you for someone else. Now you're left to raise your children as a single parent. Perhaps you walked away from God because you chose to live a life of sin. Sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, greed, or laziness consumed you and turned your heart far from the Lord.
Sadly, walking away from God is common among Christians. Some of the top leaders in our church have spent many years as wayward believers far from God. Such men and women have recognized the absolute futility of walking away. The wasted years have brought about a greater resolve to serve the Lord with whatever time remains. These men and women would urge you not to make their same mistakes. Sin may be fun for a season (see Heb 11:25), but eventually its pleasures prove unsatisfying. Today, you may be far from God. If so, come home to your Father. The principal question of 1 Samuel 7 is: What does it take to return to the Lord? The brief answer is that believers need to turn back to the Lord. This text teaches that God helps those who honor Him.
1. Samuel calls Israel to repent (7:2-4). Our account begins in 7:2: ''From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.'' Twenty years had passed since the ark came to Kiriath-jearim. During that time, the Israelites forgot their God. Nonetheless, over the course of two decades, God waited patiently and silently for Israel to feel their spiritual hunger and return ...
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