Samuel's Ministry Established

God seeks and will establish those who are ready to answer His call and effectively do His service. 1 Samuel 3:20 - And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. The followings are discussed: Samuel calls Israel to Repentance; Samuel Intercession; God's Intervention, and Restoration and Peace.

Samuel Calls Israel to Repentance: The people of Israel thought the Ark of Covenant would do the miracle and bring the victory without the presence of God. The ark was just a symbolic object, it's the presence of God that worked miracle. During a battle the ark had been taken from Israel and the people had thought they were in trouble without the ark (1 Samuel 7:1-2). Samuel declared their trouble would continue unless they had turned to God, repented of theirs sins and followed His way. He made it known that the land would only be restored when God intervened.

The people obeyed Samuel's call to repentance by taking away foreign gods from their midst and committing themselves solely to God. They purged their hearts of the idols, changed from sinful directions and practices and returned to the Lord (1 Samuel 7:3-6). Believers should stop pursuing lifestyle that corrupts the soul and body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Such lifestyle is abomination before God, though the society may present it as the order of the day or mark of civilization. Samuel led the people to purge their hearts of sins and humbly turn to God in repentance through fasting and prayer. He made them put aside sinful pleasures in favour of serving God to receive His blessings.

Samuel's Intercession; God's Intervention: The Philistines or the enemies mobilised against the Israelites, thinking they would easily defeat them as they had done before. At that time the people put aside the idea of having confidence in a physical object and were encouraged in God (1 Samuel 7:7-9). They turned to Samuel to seek God for help from the above. Then God answered the cry of Samuel. The people followed and obeyed a leader God had given them, and doing that would bring about victory over the enemies. Christians must be prepared to face spiritual battles by spiritual means ( Ephesians 6:10-20).

The battle was made easy for the people of God and the enemies were defeated with ease. God responded to Samuel's prayer and the sacrifice by moving through a terrifying thunderstorm which struck and destroyed most of the enemies. The remaining ones were pursued and utterly defeated. From that time to the end Samuel's life the enemies never rose up against the Israelites again. Samuel commemorated the divine intervention by setting up a memorial stone which he named 'Ebenezer' - the stone of help (1Samuel 7:10). Believers today must celebrate and commemorate what God has done in the form of praise, thanksgiving and sharing the testimony. We must find a way to remember and celebrate the mercy and goodness of God.

Restoration and Peace: The defeat of Philistines by the Israelites brought about restoration of the land (1 Samuel 7:15-17). God's intervention and restoration of the people and the land didn't just happen, it followed genuine repentance and revival that took place in the land. Churches and individuals can be restored for effective ministry when people genuinely turn to God and receive spiritual enablement to do His service.

Samuel was not only the Judge of Israel, he was a prophet and national leader. He led the nation in the time of war and peace, and at the difficult times he sought God for assistance. He was a servant of God and man of great devotion. National and spiritual Leaders today are enjoined to learn from Samuel and emulate his roles in seeking the direction and finding peace for the people. They must use their gifts and callings to bring honour to God and prepare hearts of the people for services that can exalt the nation. Lesson texts: 1 Samuel 6:1 through 7:17