Restoration Is On The Way
Daily Renewal
So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines.
The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel, were restored to Israel and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines.
And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. From year to year, he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. But he always went back to Ramah where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD.
The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel, were restored to Israel and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines.
And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. From year to year, he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. But he always went back to Ramah where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD.
I Samuel 7:13-17
Every promise of God is true because God is not a man that He should lie.
God has promised that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. He has promised that when we are obedient to Him, He will cause the enemies who come at us in one way to flee in seven ways. He has promised that if we are obedient to Him, we will be the head and not the tail. He has also promised that when a person's way pleases the LORD, He will cause even his enemies to be at peace with him.
All this happened to the Israelites when Samuel led them to repent and turn back to God. Israel’s obedience resulted in the restoration of their blessings.
First, it turned the hand of God against their enemies. Israel routed and subdued the Philistines.
Second, the Philistines stopped invading Israel because of divine protection..
Third, God restored to Israel all the lands that had been captured by the Philistines.
Fourth, God brought peace between Israel and the Amorites who were also enemies of Israel.
Repentance always moves the compassionate hand of God to restore our blessings.
One of the most fascinating portions of Scripture is Joel 2. It is full of amazing promises. Christians love to quote Joel 2:25, “ I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” That is a promise certainly worth claiming and standing upon! But it is also important to remember that it is based upon a context of repentance!
Here’s the context. God was about to bring judgment and He paused and uttered these words: “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to your God for He is gracious and compassionate...and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows, He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing...The threshing floor will be full again...I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten...you will have plenty to eat...never again will my people be shamed.”
God wants to restore everything the locusts have eaten but it is premised on repentance.
God has promised that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. He has promised that when we are obedient to Him, He will cause the enemies who come at us in one way to flee in seven ways. He has promised that if we are obedient to Him, we will be the head and not the tail. He has also promised that when a person's way pleases the LORD, He will cause even his enemies to be at peace with him.
All this happened to the Israelites when Samuel led them to repent and turn back to God. Israel’s obedience resulted in the restoration of their blessings.
First, it turned the hand of God against their enemies. Israel routed and subdued the Philistines.
Second, the Philistines stopped invading Israel because of divine protection..
Third, God restored to Israel all the lands that had been captured by the Philistines.
Fourth, God brought peace between Israel and the Amorites who were also enemies of Israel.
Repentance always moves the compassionate hand of God to restore our blessings.
One of the most fascinating portions of Scripture is Joel 2. It is full of amazing promises. Christians love to quote Joel 2:25, “ I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” That is a promise certainly worth claiming and standing upon! But it is also important to remember that it is based upon a context of repentance!
Here’s the context. God was about to bring judgment and He paused and uttered these words: “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to your God for He is gracious and compassionate...and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows, He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing...The threshing floor will be full again...I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten...you will have plenty to eat...never again will my people be shamed.”
God wants to restore everything the locusts have eaten but it is premised on repentance.