TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 1 Samuel 7:2b
Read: 1 Samuel 7
Listen: 1 Samuel 7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The people of Israel are called to renew their relationship with God frequently in their early history. It happens when Jacob meets the Lord in a dream at Bethel (Genesis 28). Near the end of his life, Joshua calls the nation to decide which god they are going to serve (Joshua 24). Now facing the threat of invasion by a hostile foe, they again are asked to choose. This time the prophet Samuel calls them to reignite their relationship with God. The Israelites need to hear this message over and over.
It can be easy to look down at the Israelites and judge them as they struggle to follow God. God delivers or provides for them time after time in an incredible way. When he does, the people commit to following him and throw away their idols. But old habits eventually reappear, and the nation forgets the God who has rescued them. Again and again and again. We read this history and are amazed at their stubbornness and forgetfulness.
But we also need to hear this call to renew again and again and again. Like a garden, our life continually needs to be “weeded.” A garden isn’t just weeded once in the spring and then good for the season. The weeds keep popping up! Weeding happens again and again and again. The same is true in our lives. We continually need to “uproot” bad habits, thinking and decisions that point us to other gods. We need to be constantly reminded and renewed by the Holy Spirit with the truth of God’s Word. Change that honors God is a life-long process.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Continue to work on memorizing our verse for January, Psalm 119:11 (see below). Scripture memory is a great way to continually “weed” our spiritual garden by removing destructive thoughts and ideas to replace them with a memorized verse. Be looking each month for a new memory verse and use them to renew your relationship with the Lord.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse!
PSALMS 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
