Be Real - God is Merciful & Just

Hey students! Today, 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. In yesterday’s blog, we were reminded that our human tendency in difficult times is to trust in created things instead of the creator. Lord, enable us to be people who trust you in times of difficulty and uncertainty!

Today, our study will take us to 1 Samuel 4:12-18 as we continue to look at the life of Eli and his sons. In yesterday’s text, we learned the tragic yet foretold news that Eli’s sons were killed in battle with the Philistines. As a result of their deliberate and continuous rejection of God’s Word and His authority in their life – as evidenced in the fruit of their life (stealing from the people’s offerings to God and having inappropriate relationships).

 God warned them through Eli in chapter 2 but none of them repented and they continued their shallow ritualistic relationship with God. God promises that He will now end the familial responsibility of judging Israel and priesthood from the family of Eli forever – and he communicates this through young Samuel.  

 In today’s text, we learn that Eli receives word from the battle of what has happened. The messenger began sharing what happened as soon as he entered the town and there was a great cry from among the people. Eli’s eyesight had completely been lost and he is now eagerly waiting to hear what has happened. The messenger tells him that his sons had been killed in battle and upon hearing that the ark of God had been taken by the Philistines, we learn that Eli falls backwards and dies.

 This is a rather sobering and grim passage of scripture as we clearly see that our actions have consequences. We can confidently confess that God is gracious and merciful to sinners, but we must also confess that His righteous wrath will be poured out on the heart that rejects Him. 

Today, let’s be reminded of God’s grace (that ultimately sent Christ to die in our place to free us from our sin-bondage) but also be reminded that He is a just God. Be real…let’s be people who are mindful of our faults and confess them with humility before God. We serve a merciful and just God. Let’s be real through confessing our need for Him both in failure and success!

 Consider how this might apply to your life:

1.     What attitude or action do I need to confess to God and turn away from?

2.     Pray and thank God for His grace and mercy!