Topic: Just Turn Around [Monday May 9, 2016]
Text: 1 Samuel 7:1-11
Key Verse: “And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. . . “ (1 Samuel 7:6).
Wabush, a town in a remote portion of Labrador, Canada, was completely isolated for some time. But recently, a road was cut through the wilderness to reach it. Wabush now has one road leading into it, and thus, only one road leading out. If someone would travel the unpaved road for six to eight hours to get into Wabush, there is only one way he or she could leave-by turning around.
From our text, we see one of the greatest revivals in Bible days. The Ark of the Covenant has been returned to Israel, but Israel had not returned to the true God. Samuel, the prophet, then called all Israel to Mizpeh to repent by putting away their foreign gods and reuniting with the true God. In the process, Samuel offered a sucking lamb unto God and the people wept openly and repented. The Philistines chose to attack Israel at this time thinking they were militarily vulnerable. But God thundered against them until they were completely discomfited and entirely smitten to the ground.
Each of us, by birth, arrives in a town called Sin. Just like Wabush in the story above, there is only one way out – a road built by God Himself. But in order to take that road, one must first turn around. That complete 360 degree turn around is what the Bible calls repentance. Without it, there’s no way out of town. Your Mizpeh may not be too far away from your mortal enemy; yet, if you pray sincerely, acknowledging your role in all the calamities that have befallen you, confessing and forsaking all your sins, you will definitely have mercy. Victory comes when you look away from the noise of the Philistines and fully believe the encouragement of His prophet.
Thought for the day: There is always a turn around for those who will allow Jesus have His way.
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Corinthians 5-7
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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