The Only Path To National Renewal | 1 Samuel 7:12-17

Have you had enough and want a change in our church and country?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration."

After two decades had passed, Samuel called the nation to repent. He gathered them at Mizpah for national repentance. As they do, the Philistines surround to attack, and God responds with a mighty sound, and then the Israelites follow suit and drive the Philistines away. Let's listen to how they respond and God's reward for their return in 1 Samuel 7:12-17:

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.

Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord. — 1 Samuel 7:12-17

Repentance Effects Everyone

The effect of this call to repentance is profound. It has a long-lasting impact on three groups of people. First, on the Philistines, who were subdued and restrained for the rest of Samuel's life. Second, on the Amorites (a.k.a. the Canaanites), who ceased to be a threat because of Israel's victory over their common enemy, the Philistines. Third, on the Israelites, who witnessed firsthand the deliverance by God in the most vulnerable of moments.

Don't forget that Israel was about to be wiped out. The entire nation was gathered in a valley unarmed, fasted, and emotionally vulnerable. Their enemy was armed and ready on every side. Their only hope was divine intervention, and God did intervene.

Repentance Is Personal & Corporate

I talk to many people in our time who want to see change happen in the church and our country. Based on what we have read in this chapter, I am convinced we think about the path to this change all wrong. The path to change is not with a better preacher, policy, politician, or president. The path to change is repentance, both personal and corporate. This means:

If you want change in your family, you need to repent and call your family to repentance.

If you want change in your church, your pastor needs to repent and call the church to repentance.

If you want change in your denomination, the head of your denomination needs to repent and then call the churches to repentance.

What happened in this moment can still happen today. It can happen right now with you.

Make Is Personal

I know someone reading this today who feels just like Israel felt here in the middle of Chapter 7. You feel hopeless. You feel alone. You feel surrounded by an enemy who is perched to annihilate you. If that is you, I am telling you, there is hope. Turn or return to God. Reject the meaningless ideologies and idols that have let you down and call upon the only God who saves.

Repentance is when we bring our sinful motivations, thoughts, and actions to God and ask God to take a stand. We are not taking a stand—we are going low—but asking God to take a stand. The benefits are great because those who repent will be rescued, freed from fear, and established in the Lord's territory. Eventually, you will see that your repentance will impact everyone around you.

#RepentanceAndRestoration
#DivineIntervention
#EbenezerStone

Ask This:
How can you personally apply the principle of repentance, both individually and within your community or family, to seek God's intervention in areas where you need His help?
Reflecting on Samuel's leadership and the Israelites' response to God's deliverance, what steps can you take to establish "Ebenezer stones" in your own life—symbols of God's faithfulness and deliverance—to remind you of His ongoing work and presence?
Do This:

Repent.

Pray This:

Father, I come before you with a humble heart, seeking your forgiveness and guidance. Help me embrace repentance, trusting in your mercy and power to restore and bring peace to my life and community. Amen.

Play This:

Nothing Else.