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04.11.2008 Old Testament 
To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 7-9 on April 11, AD 2008 


Lament and Loyalty 
By Don Ruhl 


After recovering the Ark of the Covenant, the Israelites brought it to Kirjath Jearim (1Sa 7.1, 2a). Then the writer of First Samuel noted, "And all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD" (v. 2b). Lamenting showed their broken heart for the idolatry they committed, but it did not show a loyal heart. Samuel told the people, "If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines" (v. 3). Lamenting shows regret for the past, but it does not show commitment for the future. Therefore, the children of Israel needed to: 

1. Return to the Lord with all their hearts 
2. Put away the foreign gods among them 
3. Prepare their hearts for the Lord 
4. Serve the Lord only 

Verse 4 shows that the people did as Samuel instructed. 

Your sins in the past depress you, but what shall you do from here on out? Have you learned from Samuel what the Lord wants you to do? 


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