Christians, Where Are Our Hearts?

 I Samuel 7:3

And Samuel spoke unto all the house of Israel, saying, “If you do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

 

     Israel had been defeated.  After living many years without God, they are called to ‘put away their strange gods.’  After many years with priests who served themselves instead of God, they lost many loved ones in a battle against the Philistines.  They lost much.  Now, they come to Samuel, their prophet, for advice and help.  What to do?  Same as we must do today.  So many of us today do not serve the God we say we serve.  We are more concerned about how many people like our social media posts.  We paint a false life on social media seeking attention and many likes and loves.  We live one life in the home, then walk out as sacred servants of God.  We drop money in the offering plate, but we do not serve God.  We stand in front of the congregation to sing our solos, laud our volunteer work, preach eloquent sermons, and promote our superficial life.  People on the outside see us enter the sanctuary and label us as hypocrites, because they see our lifestyle before we enter the sanctuary.  Are we seeking God with all our hearts each day?  Can we put aside self and prepare our hearts for the Lord?  Can we be dedicated to serve God only?

     Well, the house of Israel put away their strange gods, prayed, and admitted their sins.  They gathered at Mizpeh where Samuel prayed for them, they fasted and confessed their sins.  After fasting, praying, and admission of sins, they defeated their enemy, the Philistines.  Actually, it was God who defeated the enemy.  Today, many Christians complain about the growth of socialism and call it our enemy.  Instead of fearing and complaining, we need to look at our own personal lives.  Yes, we call ourselves ‘good men and women.’  At the same time, we do not live and seek God with all our hearts.  We are seeking for a comfortable life.  Look around.  It is about having a big boat, vacations, a nice house, cars, best schools, and just things.  Our god has become things and people.  How many of us will be willing to give it all up to help others in need?  How many of us will be willing to give it all up to serve God full time?  Oh!  Where are our hearts?  How can we expect to defeat our enemy if we cannot put away our gods and follow God with all our hearts and souls?

 

Deuteronomy 4:29

But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (ESV)

      



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