Be Real - Trust God

Hey students! This morning, we will continue our study of 1 Samuel in our series “Be Real.” Our desire is to be people who have real relationships with God evidenced by the fruit of our lives. As the motto of our series goes, the fruit don’t lie! The fruit of my life reveals who I really am and ultimately if I know and love God. This morning, our study will take us to 1 Samuel 4:1-11.

 In chapter 3, God calls Samuel to serve Him and the people of Israel as prophet (a prophet communicates God’s Word to the people through direct revelation). The first message God delivered through him was to Eli and his sons. They had long ignored the Word of God and their relationship to Him was nothing more than a shallow formality. The result? God’s judgement on their rebellious living.

 Fast forward to our passage today and we read the record of this prophecy coming true. The Israelites go to battle against the Philistines and in their initial battle, 4,000 Israelites are killed. In response, the people recognize that the hand of God was against them and this was demonstrated through their loss. Here I believe is the key verse of this passage: “And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies (1 Samuel 4:3).” Read this verse again. Did you notice the emphasis the people put on the Ark of the Covenant?

 Their reason for retrieving the Ark is so that “it” can bring them victory. The people’s trust is misplaced. Their confidence is not in the LORD but in an object. They are seeking help from a created thing instead of the One who created all things. This reveals a troubling reality: the people (specifically their elders) did not know God. They did not consult the LORD or His prophet prior to engaging in battle and even now they are failing to seek the LORD. Instead, they put their trust in a religious object instead of the person that gives the object significance.

 Today, let us be reminded that this story of the Israelites can quickly become a reality in our lives. Our tendency is to find comfort in created things instead of the creator. Be real…when we find ourselves in times of difficulty or uncertainty to who or what do we turn? Pastor Mike in his sermon yesterday challenged us that the first thing we turn to in times of difficulty is where we have placed our trust. Is your trust in God or in some other counterfeit? Be real by worshipping the source not the symbol.

Here are three examples to consider:

1.     What is your go-to “escape” when you are anxious?

2.     When faced with uncertainty where do you turn for answers?

3.     Where do you turn for comfort when you are fearful?