The Lord Has Helped Us! By Pastor Dan Hayton

Real Dudes,
We had 25 in attendance this past Saturday and one new attendee. Pastor Dan Hayton did a great job sharing his heart with us. Below is his challenge in full...at the end of it is a study guide section that can also be used for a small group setting. Hope this is helpful to each of you. 
Enjoy,
Nate

The Lord has helped us!

1 Samuel 7:2-17

6-11-22

Humor: The Man who didn’t want to get up out of bed.

All of us go through times of battle, setbacks, discouragements and disappointments. Thankfully, we can look back at all the times the Lord has helped us! We can move confidently forward knowing God will help us in the future.

Background: Hannah prayed for a son and God gave her Samuel. Samuel was born during a time when the Israelite people were at an all-time low spiritually. Hannah fulfilled her promise to God and she brought little Samuel to the Temple and left him there with Eli to serve God all the days of his life. Eli was a priest and Judge in Israel at the time of Samuel birth and early life.

Eli had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas (Feen – ni – as). These guys were evil.

I Samuel 2:12 “Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD.”

§ They showed contempt for the offering of the Lord (I Samuel 2:13-17).

§ They were guilty of sexual immorality (I Samuel 2:22).

God announced to Eli that judgment was coming to his family.

I Samuel 2:34 “And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you – they will both die on the same day.”

Later -- God delivered the message of judgment to Eli once again but this time the message came to Samuel who in turn delivered bad news to Eli – I Samuel 3:11-14; 18. The time of Judgement for Israel and Eli’s family was approaching.

Israel was not only in a major spiritual battle -- they were soon to be in a battle with the Philistines.

Battle #1 --- In I Samuel 4:1 the Israelites were camped at Ebenezer – which means thus far the Lord has helped us – and then they were attacked by the Philistines. … Israel lost the battle - (I Samuel 4:2) and 4,000 Jews died. The elders of Israel wondered why the Lord didn’t help them in battle and why they lost the battle?

They had an idea! Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant with us to battle. Hophni & Phinehas (Eli’s wicked sons) can carry the ark which represented God’s presence and power. Perhaps the Israelites would have victory over the Philistines - (I Samuel 4:3-4). The Israelites were all excited and shouted with joy. The problem with this strategy is --

§ The Ark of the Covenant wasn’t a good luck charm to manipulate God into giving victory for their battles.

§ The Jews were still living in sin and rebellion. … God doesn’t bless sin; He judges it.

Battle #2 --- The Philistines attacked a second time - (I Samuel 4:14) and defeated the Israelites. This time 30,000 Israelite men died in battle, the Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines and Hophni and Phinehas died on the same day as God clearly stated at an earlier time to Eli.

When Eli heard the army was defeated, his two sons had died in battle, and the Ark of the Covenant was taken - (I Samuel 4:12-17); the 98 years old, fell backwards off his chair and broke his neck and died. The wife of Phinehas went into labor and just before she died, she named her child Ichabod “the glory has departed from Israel,” and she died - (I Samuel 4:18-22).

Eventually, the Philistines returned the Ark to the Jews in Beth Shemesh and then the ark was moved to Kiriath Jearim just 10 miles NW of Jerusalem. There the Ark remained there for 20 years.

During this 20 years period Samuel grew up. He was a prophet of God, a priest and the last judge to come on the scene and before Saul, the first king of Israel came into power. Something happened in Israel that was positive. The people were tired of their sinful living and the pain that sin brings.

I. They returned to God.

Samuel gave the Jews some helpful steps so they could get back on track with God. The first thing:

A. They needed to be sincere.

I Samuel 7:2 “It was a long time, twenty years in all that the ark remained in Kiriath Jearim and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD.”

Ø Genuine repentance is more than an emotional experience.

I Samuel 7:3a “And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts ….”

Another wards -- God is not interested in someone approaching him with mere lip serve. He wanted their return to Him to be real and genuine.

God wants us sincere about making things right.

§ We should return to God because we are truly broken over our sin and grieved about our unfaithfulness.

§ We should return to God because we love the Lord and want to honor him with our life.

Samuel reminded the Jews -- If they were sincere about returning to God then DO SO WITH ALL YOUR HEART – If this was the case:

They needed to be sincere.

B. They needed to remove all idols from their life.

I Samuel 7:3b “… then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and Ashtoreth’s ….”

God told them in Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”

The Israelites worshipped the Canaanite gods called Baal and Ashtoreth. Baal was the god of thunder / rain and they were deceived into thinking his task was to make the earth fertile.

Ashtoreth was the goddess of love / war. The Jews wrongly believed the union of these two supposed deities would rejuvenate the earth each year and bring ample crops at harvest. They had idols in their life.

An idol is a substitute for God. An idol is anything, any activity, or anybody we love more than loving God. Our idol could be possessions, pleasure, position, recognition, sports or our idol could be a person. Our idol could be ministry.

The path back to God meant the Jewish people meant they had to look deep in their heart – ask the Lord’s help in this painful process - confess sin and search through their house and throw out all idols.

The same is true for anyone who professes to know Jesus as their Lord & Savior.

They needed to be sincere.

They needed to remove all idols from their life.

C. They needed to commit themselves to the Lord.

I Samuel 7:3c “… and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

There would be no victory over their enemies until they first prepared for battle.

Victory over the Philistines wouldn’t come through sharper weapons, or the latest defense move or offensive strategy.

Victory over the Philistines would not be achieved because they had a larger army. It would come when the people got right with God and yielded their heart and affection solely to the Lord.

Victory would come from the strength and power provided by God. This would come if they were committed to loving the Lord and living for Him. In order to return to God:

They needed to be sincere.

They needed to remove all idols from their life.

They needed to commit themselves to the Lord.

D. They needed to follow through with their decision.

I Samuel 7:4 “So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreth’s, and served the Lord only.”

Ø God is not interested in mere talk; He wants to see a true walk.

They returned to God.

II. They depended on prayer.

A. They gathered for a prayer meeting.

I Samuel 7:5 “Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the LORD for you.”

Mizpah was 7 miles N of Jerusalem. It was located high above a valley. It was a good rallying point for a prayer meeting. At Mizpah - Samuel prayed for the people.

I Samuel 7:6a “When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD ….”

Some scholars say that pouring out water before the LORD was symbolic of repentance.

They gathered for a prayer meeting.

B. They fasted in addition to prayer.

I Samuel 7:6b “… On that day they fasted ….”

The Jews fasted annually on the Day of Atonement. Getting right with the Lord was more important than food. So instead of eating breakfast, lunch and supper - they spent time doing spiritual business with God.

I Samuel 7:6c “… and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah.”

The leaders needed to get their hearts right with God as well -- if they expected the people to get right with God. There was an about face turn in their life. They turned from worshipping idols to worshipping the living God.

Ø Genuine repentance is not mere lip service; it is revealed through a transformed life.

They returned to God.

They depended on prayer.

III. They prepared for their opposition.

A. The Jewish people were faced with an attack.

I Samuel 7:7 “When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it they were afraid because of the Philistines.”

The Israelites didn’t gather to fight; they gathered for a time of spiritual renewal. They were afraid of their enemies. The last time they met the Philistines in battle 4,000 Israelite soldiers were killed in (I Samuel 4:2); and in a second battle another 30,000 Israelite soldiers died in (I Samuel 4:10). Perhaps their confidence level was at an all-time low. The Israelites were desperate for God to intervene.

Some of us maybe struggling with fear and doubt concerning a situation in our life.

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Look at the response of the Israelites.

The Jewish people were faced with an attack.

B. The Jewish people asked for more prayer.

I Samuel 7:8 “They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.”

§ They demonstrated humility – we can’t win this fight on our own.

§ They also demonstrated faith – we know God can do anything.

I Samuel 7: 9 “Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf and the LORD answered him.”

Psalm 99:6 “Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them.”

They returned to God.

They depended on prayer.

They prepared for their opposition.

IV. They celebrated the victory from the Lord.

Q: How did God answer Samuel’s prayers and give victory?

A. God used the thunder to answer Samuel’s prayer.

I Samuel 7:10 “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.”

The ancient people believed thunder and lightning were signs of divine anger. The Philistines worshipped a piece of stone that they thought was the god of thunder. Now - they met the One and only true God who made the thunder. God used thunder to scare the Philistines – the enemy of Israel.

God used the thunder to answer Samuel’s prayer.

B. God used the men of Israel in answer to Samuel’s prayer.

I Samuel 7:11 “The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car.”

I Samuels 7:13 “So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines.”

I Samuels 7:14 “The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to her, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the power of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.”

Transition When we repent; return to God; and depend on Him in prayer; then the stage is set for God to do the impossible. We can then say “The Lord has helped us!”

Lessons

A. Victory comes on God’s terms.

If we want victory in an area of our life; or if our church wants God’s continued favor; we need to stay right with God; and in some cases get our life right with God.

Immerse your life in His Word, in prayer, and in full submission to whatever God wants us to do in and through your life. Those are God’s terms for victory.

Victory comes on God’s terms.

B. Victory comes in unusual ways.

The Battle with Bill – I was the new pastor of the church. I made some necessary changes. Bill was not pleased and one day he came to my office and told me - he was going to be a thorn in my flesh. I told him - I would pray for him. … Bill went to each leader’s home with a letter filled with lies attempting to oust me out of leadership. I found this out from one of our leaders.

Little did Bill know – those very leaders were planning a Pastor Appreciation Service. I didn’t know this was going on but knew there was a special church wide meeting coming up. My wife and I thought we were probably moving back to Iowa. Instead, God surprised us with a churchwide Pastor Appreciation service and the people showered us with love and support. Bill and a couple of his compadres were not happy with the leaders and they left the church.

God provides for our needs from unlikely sources and in unique ways. In doing so, He builds our faith so that we learn to trust Him more.

In scripture - God used a shepherd’s staff of Moses to separate the Red Sea and defeat the Egyptian army. God used David, a shepherd boy; and a small stone to defeat a giant. God used the jaw bone of a donkey to defeat 1,000 Philistines.

It isn’t the object, the thunder, or the person that brings victory; it is God Almighty. God can use anything, anybody, at anytime, anywhere to accomplish anything no matter how difficult, challenging, complicated, or life threatening it may be. Why? Because God can!!!!

Victory comes on God’s terms.

Victory comes in unusual ways.

C. Victories should be remembered.

I Samuel 7:12 “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.”

God is our Ebenezer. [Hold up a Rock] This rock is to remind us that He has helped us up to this point in your life. We need to remember those times when God answered prayers – when God intervened, - when God provided victory! Since God is immutable and never changes – since He is always faithful – we can trust him with current needs and future needs – and each of us should thank him.

Let’s go to praise and prayer!


Study Guide...

The Lord has helped us!

1 Samuel 7:2-17

I Samuel 2:12 “Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD.”

I Samuel 2:34 “And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you – they will both die on the same day.”

I. They _______ to God.

A. They needed to be _______.

I Samuel 7:2 “It was a long time, twenty years in all that the ark remained in Kiriath Jearim and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD.”

I Samuel 7:3a “And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts ….”

B. They needed to remove all _____ from their life.

I Samuel 7:3b “… then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and Ashtoreth’s ….”

Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”

C. They needed to _____ themselves to the Lord.

I Samuel 7:3c “… and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

D. They needed to ____________ with their decision.

I Samuel 7:4 “So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreth’s, and served the Lord only.”

II. They __________ on prayer.

A. They ________ for a prayer meeting.

I Samuel 7:5 “Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the LORD for you.”

I Samuel 7:6a “When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD ….”

B. They ______ in addition to prayer.

I Samuel 7:6b “… On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah.”

III. They ______ for their opposition.

A. The Jewish people were faced with an _____.

I Samuel 7:7 “When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it they were afraid because of the Philistines.”

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

B. The Jewish people asked for more _____.

I Samuel 7:8 “They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.”

I Samuel 7: 9 “Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf and the LORD answered him.”

Psalm 99:6 “Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them.”

IV. They __________ the victory from the Lord.

A. God used the _____ to answer Samuel’s prayer.

I Samuel 7:10 “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.”

B. God used the __________ in answer to Samuel’s prayer.

I Samuel 7:11 “The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car.”

I Samuels 7:13 “So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines.”

I Samuels 7:14 “The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to her, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the power of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.”

Lessons

A. Victory comes on ___________.

B. Victory comes in ___________.

C. Victories should be _________.

I Samuel 7:12 “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.”