Beyond the Weekend

October 2 | Expectations

October 2, 2014

Text: 1 Samuel 7.7-12

Although Israel recognized their sin and admitted their offense against God, their confession didn’t change their circumstances: the religious culture didn’t change, the racial tensions didn’t disappear, and the attacks kept coming. When the Philistines prepared their next assault, Israel quickly embraced fear resulting in panic. Even though they cried out to Samuel for spiritual intervention, they still had to go into battle.

Sometimes we expect God to intervene by removing a difficult situation. But like Israel, God may cause us to walk into our fears (by faith) as we trust he is with us. Without conquering the Philistines, Israel would never have said, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7.12). God strengthened Israel’s faith that day when he sent them into battle again.

Perhaps you have set up false expectations of God, believing he should remove a struggle when in reality he may want to strengthen you in that struggle. The attacks may keep coming, but cry out to God as he promises to be with you.

Today, praise God for a time when you cried out to him, he helped you in your struggle, and you were able to say, “Thus far the Lord has helped me.”

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