“If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts…”

1 Samuel 7:3

The prophet Samuel was giving the people guidance on how to be free from the enemy’s oppression, and challenged them to have a genuine conversion. They had to get rid of all the gods that they had embraced in Canaan in order to totally depend on the Lord. The words of the prophet produced fruit in their hearts right away. On that same day they fasted and said, “We have sinned against the Lord…” (1 Samuel 7:6). As soon as they learned the power of fasting, they decided to express their conversion to God by fasting, humbling themselves and confessing their sins. True repentance makes us put a stop to our wrong ways and identify the root that has caused our sin. We get rid of it by confessing what we have done wrong, and at the same time, we must determine to not go back to what led us astray from the Lord, in the first place.

Even though the people of Israel knew that they had to fight against the Philistine army, they went to the prophet Samuel to ask him to intercede on their behalf. Samuel knew what would touch God’s heart: the request accompanied by the shedding of blood. Therefore, he took a baby lamb and killed it as a sacrifice to God. “He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him” (vs. 9b). Samuel also said, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). God’s reply was immediate. “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” (1 Samuel 7:10). After many years that Israel was not able to face their enemies, once again the sun was shining upon them through Samuel’s ministry. The Lord decided to participate in the battle and stand up for them. This motivated Samuel to build an altar to the Lord, leaving a powerful monument of how He had helped the Israelites, as evidence for future generations.

After being confronted by the Prophet Nathan, David showed profound repentance and said, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2). “Repentance” means a change of mind, or a complete turn around. A “U-turn” implies a change in attitude. Repentance will always be reflected in action.

David was a man after God’s own heart. The sweet singer of Israel, who was the author of most of the psalms, became one of the greatest men because of his faith. He faced Goliath and defeated him. David was a brave warrior who was victorious wherever he went. Everything was going well for him, until he fell into the trap of the adversary and lost one the most important battles in his life. When he abandoned himself to the charms of someone else’s woman. But later, David’s sincere plea would be, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:2-3). He was finally aware of his sin and did not justify his behavior. Instead, he admitted it and acknowledged his rebellion. He knew that, by sinning, he had failed God alone. He acknowledged the weakness of his human nature, inherited from his parents, “Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:6-7).

Today we might say, “Lord Jesus, purify me with Your blood and I will be clean; bathe me in Your pure blood and I will be whiter than snow. Make me experience joy and happiness, and these bones that have been crushed, will rejoice.” David knew that when sin is completely removed from the heart of a man, joy and gladness are restored in his life.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
“My parents separated when I was thirteen years old. My father not only separated himself from my mother, but also from my sister and me, thus leaving a huge void in our hearts. I was a lonely girl during my teen years. I cut myself off from the world and left aside all those who wanted to come close to me. I gained a lot of weight, living in bitterness and depression, and felt envious of the teens that lived a “normal” adolescence. I tried to fill my emptiness with food, which made me feel worse. I also began to get involved in the occult.

By the time I entered university, I came out of my shell and opened myself up to social life. I began to listen to heavy rock and hang out with those who also listened to it. Because I had never caught anyone’s attention before, it was very exciting in the beginning because I felt that I was popular. It was funny to see how people looked at me with fear because of my clothing; particularly those I knew that were Christians, and who I hated. I began consuming alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and I gave my heart to people who treated me as if I were trash.

My sister met Jesus and began to change her attitude towards me and life. She spoke in the most encouraging way. One night, under the effects of alcohol, I felt so empty and out of place that I prayed to the Lord, ‘My God, take me out of here, this is not my place.’ My sister’s words began to bear fruit, and a tremendous spiritual thirst was born inside of my heart.

While in bed one night, I said to the Lord, ‘My God, I do not know what to do with my life. I do not know whether to become a Buddhist, a Muslim, or a Christian. Since You know what the best is for me, I give in to Your will. Do whatever You want with me.” Some months later, I went to church and when they made the invitation to people who wanted to give their lives to Jesus, I walked to the front. It was a radical decision. On that day Jesus touched my heart. That huge void that had been inside of me was instantly filled by Jesus when He embraced me with such a love that I had never known before. Nothing is left of that bitter woman, who was involved in alcoholism and rebellion. I am a new woman, who has been completely set free from her sins and vices. My heart only wants to serve God and express gratitude to Him for the gift of salvation.” (Laura Sofia Gutierrez)

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“Today I come back to God’s path, and I will walk towards His blessing because my life belongs to Him.”

Today’s post is an excerpt from Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ book, Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year: Volume Four.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

• Old Testament: Jeremiah 50; Song of Songs 4:1-7
• New Testament: John 6:16-24; 1 Peter 3:1-7