Living With or Without the Lord | 1 Samuel 7:2

Do you want to live with the Lord or without the Lord?

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."

Today's scripture is 1 Samuel 7:2, it reads:

From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. — 1 Samuel 7:2

After the Ark of God was taken from Shiloh, it never returned. This verse chronicles a sad moment because the Ark of God will remain in this location for almost 50 years, not just for the next 20 years. It will stay here until King David requests that It be paraded up to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6).

As modern readers, we often fail to see the effects of what has happened. The wicked sons of Eli removed the Ark of God, defiling the Tabernacle. This meant there was no longer a holy place for worship and sacrifice. Failed spiritual leadership caused a rift and drift from God, and the consequences devastated the religious nation. Thus, there is a long two decades of lament for these actions.

This concerns me about our time and our nation. If we want to live without the Lord, the Lord will allow us to live without him. If we turn to the New Testament book of Romans, Paul has something to say about this. This is a reading from Romans 1:21-32

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. — Romans 1:21-32

If you want moral flexibility, God will let you have it. But here's the deal, you will live without God. A life lived this way, without God, has all kinds of national and individual spiritual consequences. I believe this is the time in which we live.

But there is a way back, and to see that you will have to show up tomorrow.

But for now, reflect on this question: Do you want to live with the Lord or without the Lord?

#ChooseGod
#ReturnToGod
#SpiritualConsequences

Ask This: How can we recognize areas in our lives where we may be drifting away from God's presence, similar to the Israelites during the time of 1 Samuel 7? In what practical ways can we ensure that our worship and devotion to God remain sincere and faithful, even amidst the distractions and temptations of modern life? Do This:

Ask this and answer honestly: Do you want to live with the Lord or without the Lord?

Pray This:

Father, help me to discern when I am drifting from Your presence and guide me back into a deeper relationship with You. Strengthen my resolve to honor You in all aspects of my life, reflecting Your glory to those around me. Amen.

Play This:

Trust In God.