Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1944-08-18
THE PROPHET IN THE LIFE OF
ISRAEL

ISRAEL
LESSON TEXT Samuel 3:l9-2l; 7'3'
L.
GOLDEN TEXTILE that hath my
word. let him speak my word faithfully
jeremiah % %.
Remarkably up-to-date Is the
helpful guidance found in this les
SON. When our nation finds itself
facing those other nations which
would destroy our Christian faith,
and we know that we need the key
both to true victory and satisfac-
tory peace. the message OF this
scripture comes with fine helpful
ness.
The prophet Samuel twho was
also priest and judge served God
in ruling his people at time when
they were under the hard heel OF
the Philistines. The way out OF OPP
preston was revealed in Gods
Word. which brought revival and
deliverance-whieh was not forgot
ten In the day Of triumph.
I. Gods Word Declared t3:l9-2D.
While a prophet had the ministry
Of foretelling. his chief work was
forth-telling. He told of the future.
but his larger ministry was to de-
clare the message Of God. AS Sam
uel did this in faithful devotion to
the Lord, there was the immediate
blessing of God which established
the prophet throughout the whole
land.
Those who are timid about limit
ing" their ministry (imagine thatD
to the Bible should learn Of Samuel
that ii is the only really effective
message. God will not 'let you
down" II you teach and preach His
Word. He let none Of Samuels
words fall to the ground ". 19)
and He will not desert us as we
give forth His truth.
ii. Mans Heart Revived t7:3-6.
The response of the people to
Samueps message was whole
hearted. They were sick of their sin
and idolatry. They proved the
reality Of their repentance by put
ting away their heather gods.
Such repentance and appropriate
action Is prerequisite to spiritual
revival. God cannot give us His
blessing II we hold on to our sin
and idolatry.
Lest anyone think there Is no
idolatry in our day, let him recall
the many who follow strange and
heathenish religious cults. and let
him remember that we have set up
such gods as money. position. fash
ion. and others. We too need to put
aside our strange gods"
Note how the revival expressed it.
self. They gathered together and
prayed tvv. S. 81. Spiritual life
thrives on the gathering together Of
Gods people. The crisis in Israel
was met by a convocation Of the
people. We need to revive the great
soul-stirring religious gatherings of
generation ago, Go yourself, and
encourage others to go. Let the fire
Of God burn, and let those who meet
scatter far and wide as brands
which will light new fires.
II will pray" said Samuel He
was great intercessor q. Sam.
l5:ll, Ps. 99;6; Jer, l5:D. Revival
starts in the faithful intercesSion Of
burdened heart Should we not
ask ourselves, Have really
prayed for revival in my church,
my city. and my country?"
III. A Nation Delivered (7:7-lD.
Cry unto God l.. he will save
u.s." was the word of Samuel They
cried, and He did The Lord thun.
dered with a great thunder" and
discounted the enemies Of Israel.
In these days of warfare we might
well cry out, Lord, do 1t again, Z"
thunder upon our enemies and de-
feat them in such a way that they
and we shall see that il was the hand
Of God and not Of menl (See Ps.
20.7)
That is one thing for which we
might well pray, for behold. the
Lords hand Is not shortened, that
1t cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that 1t cannot hear" lisa.
SOD.
Seeing Israel at prayer, the enemy
took advantage Of them and at.
tackled In the previous battle at this
very spot tsee last Sundays les.
SOM Israel had been defeated be.
cause they had fought with the
weapons Of man. Now, with God
weapons of prayer and faith. they
had glorious victory.
". Gods Mercy Remembered
T:l0.
Samuel raised stone OF remem.
brance, TO remind Israel In the
years to come that the Lord had
been their help. A defeated, dis.
heartened, sinful people had turned
to God In repentance and faith, and
God had given them victory. They
must never forget His mercy,
One Of the great concerns Of think.
ing men In our day is the fear that
victory may come TO us before we
are spiritually and morally ready
to receive 1t. II It does. we shall
see a mad rush into excuses OF all
kinds, a bold glorying in our own
| ability and power, and even greater