I listen to a lot of music, which has led me to develop an eclectic taste. I listen to everything from jazz, to rock, to worship music. This recently led me to discover a song called “Are You Serious” by Tyrone Davis. In the song, he is singing to a woman trying to figure out if she is the one he has been hoping and praying for. He wants to discern whether she is truly invested in a relationship with him or just having fun for a little bit, so he asks if she is actually serious.

This song may be the perfect soundtrack for Samuel addressing the Israelites. He asks whether their faith is serious and challenges them to change the way they live to reflect a genuine faith in the Lord. Our lives will reveal whether we are serious about our faith. We must choose between following the world or intentionally obeying God according to His word. The way Samuel leads Israel in 1 Samuel 7:3-14 reveals five truths about a serious faith.

3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.” 6 So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. – 1 Samuel 7:3-14

  1. Being serious about God begins with repentance

Israel had experienced God’s silence, oppression from other nations, and adoption of idol worship, and they were in need of a fresh start. Returning to God meant getting rid of their false gods and turning to only follow the Lord the way He commanded.

  1. Being serious about God is expressed through worship

True repentance is focused on God, not on ourselves, so Samuel leads the people to express their commitment through worship. We cannot claim to have a genuine faith in God if we are not willing to devote our lives to Him.

  1. Being serious about God leads to God’s response

When the Philistines hear that Israel has gathered, they attack. Israel cries out to God, and He responds to their distress since they had actually turned to listen to Him. It is much easier to hear from God when we are seriously listening for His instruction.

  1. Being serious about God results in victory

God’s response is clear and powerful, and He leads the Israelites to defeat the Philistines. We may be able to have temporary success against enemies like depression and addiction, but our strength will never overcome them. When our battle plan is prayer and praise, God gives us true, eternal victory over every enemy we may face.

  1. Being serious about God continues through remembrance

After their victory, Samuel sets up a monument to help the people remember the power of God and the importance of faith. Reminding ourselves of what God has done in our lives is an important way to maintain hope for future situations.

We cannot follow God halfheartedly, but we must be all in. Based on the way you live, are you serious about God?

 

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