June 10th, 2024

Today is June 10.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 7.  
 

So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” 
 

Samuel is directing the Israelites to turn away from idolatry... Baal and Ashtoreth were popular idols of the time. Sameul calls the people of God to repent from their sin of looking to idols instead of looking to God. Idols are things made of human hands, things that are not God, but that take the place of God in our lives. Idols are things we give our attention, energy, and emotions toward. As you come to prayer today, are there things in your life that perhaps have taken the place of a modern day idol? Things that you spend a lot of energy, attention, and energy on? Things that you rely on and trust in... instead of God? 
   
Confession is a powerful tool. Confession is when we say what is real, and allow God to meet us in that real. The Israelites confessed: we have sinned. That was real. Is there anything in your ‘real’ right now that you have not brought to the Lord intentionally? If so, take time right now to speak that thing out loud to the Lord. 
   
Samuel calls the people of God to return to the Lord with all their hearts. As we end our time of prayer today, turn your heart toward Jesus, and make time through the rest of your day to continue to reorient yourself toward Him. 

Music: Kyrie Eleison - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)