Getting Right With God
“And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.” (1 Samuel 7:10)
ISRAEL had departed from God. Samuel told the Israelites to forsake their false gods and return to the Lord. Our verse speaks of the reviving of Israel, the raiding of Israel, the rumbling for Israel, and the routing by Israel.
Reviving of Israel. The people responded well to Samuel’s call to return to God, and they gathered at Mizpeh to make an offering unto Jehovah. Getting right with God involved more than just words. It involved the worship of God and sacrifice for God. We hear a lot of talk about revival, but most of it is just talk, for there is little evidence of increased worship or of increased sacrificing for the Lord.
Raiding of Israel. During the time of making the burnt offering, the Philistines attacked. How often this happens. We get right with God then the enemy raises up and attacks. When we get right with God, it upsets the enemy of our soul; and he will attack. The more you grow spiritually, the more animosity you will experience from the enemy. But do not let this discourage you—see the next part of the verse.
Rumbling for Israel. When the Philistines attacked, “the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomforted them.” Getting right with God may cause the enemy to attack, but it also gives you great help from God. And the help from God will more than compensate the increased animosity of the enemy.
Routing by Israel. “And they were smitten before Israel.” The verses following this verse says the enemy was put on the run, they were routed and “subdued” (1 Samuel 7:13). Getting right with God not only brought special help from God, but it also strengthened Israel’s ability to overcome the enemy which they had not defeated for some time. If you are having trouble overcoming sin in your life, try getting right with God. It will help you rout evil out of your life.
