In Samuel 1:7, the suffering Israelites chose to change their ways under the leadership of the great prophet Samuel. The Israelites saw the signs of their wickedness all around them...They mourned the loss of the precious and Holy Ark of the Covenant. They suffered bloody onslaughts by the terrible Phillistines into their land. Samuel spoke truth to the whole of Israel and called them to turn away from their idols and tear down their pagan structures. They gathered at Mizpah (Meaning Watchtower), fasted, and prayed for forgiveness of their sins. Earnest prayers, fasting, and sacrifice of a baby lamb by Samuel brought peace back to the nation of Israel for a lifetime. Samuel built an altar to God near his home and prayed daily for his people. Eventually, the ark returned to the first great temple provisioned by God through the annointed Warrior-KIng David...
To all of you who wonder about the evil onslaught in our land today and the persistent wars overseas, there is hope for the return of peace and prosperity. The truth freed the people of Israel and can free our nation too.
In this month of Thanksgiving, let us thank our God, YHWH, most of all for the holiest of sacrifices, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 17 that the greatest healings can only come through much prayer and fasting. Many of us fast now from the warm physical presence of our Messiah and we pray daily for His return. We also seek the mercy of God- not only for ourselves, but on the behalf of many of our so-called leaders and fellow citizens who coldly shun the holy spirit in this land where legions of demons now terrorize.
Let us learn the ancient story of Samuel patterning our own times, for as God says in Ecclesiastes 1, ...there is nothing new under the Sun.
Do not be ashamed of the one and true living God. His judgement is real. Do not seek the kIngs of this world whose bodies and works return to dust, but seek the almighty power of Jesus Christ and the Eternal KIngdom of Heaven.
Amen.