1 Samuel 7: 5-12

1 Samuel 7: 5-12

5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader[a] of Israel at Mizpah.

7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,[b] saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

Title: Repent and Confess!

Message: Asking forgiveness for our sins is not enough. We need to repent and confess the sins we committed for us to truly avail of salvation. The Israelites sinned against God and they did not just ask forgiveness. They demonstrated repentance by turning from the gods that some of them had been worshiping and by giving up their sinful ways. They grieved and confessed their sins to the Father. Samuel also interceded. Having witnessed all these, God helped them to survive their fight with the Philistines.

Promise to Claim: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Command to Obey: Let us know and practice God’s instructions. Let us repent and confess our sins for God listens to us every time.

Warning to Heed: God forgives but He punishes the sinners.

Application: I will not only ask forgiveness for my sins. I will repent and confess above all for I know that God take delight in people who do His requirements.