Parenthood is an awesome responsibility.. 1Sam7

We dont know why Samuel's sons went wrong, but we do know Eli was held responsible for his own son's corruption. It is impossible to know if Samuel was a bad parent. His children were old enough to be on their own. We must be careful not to blame ourselves for the sins of our children. On the other hand, parenthood is an awesome responsibility, and nothing is more important than molding and shaping our children lives.

If your grown children are not following God, realize that you cant control them any longer, dont blame yourselves. But if your children are still in your care, know that what you do and teach can profoundly affect your children and lasts a lifetime.

Lovely Foreign gods .. 1Sam7

Israel mourned, and sorrow gripped the nation for 20 years, The Ark was put away like an unwanted box in an attic, and it seemed as if the Lord had abandoned HIS people. Samuel,now a grown man, roused them to action by saying that if they were trully sorry, they should do something about it. 

How easy for us to complain about our problems, even to God, while we refuse to act, change, and do what HE requires. We dont even take the advice HE has already given us. Do you ever feel as if God has abandoned you? Check to see if there is anything HE has already told you to do. You may not receive new guidance from God until you have acted on HIS previous direction.

Samuel urged the Israelites to get rid of their foreign gods. Idols today are much more than subtle than gods of wood and stone, but they are just as dangerous. Whatever holds first place in our lives or controls us is our god. Money, success, material goods, pride, or anything else can be an idol if it takes tha place of God in our lives.

The Lord alone is worthy of our service and worship, and we must let nothing rival HIM. If we have 'foreign gods', we need to ask God to help us dethrone them, making the true God our first priority

Are We Seeing God's Favor As Only An Ingredient Of The Good Life?.. 1Sam6

Dagon was the chief god of the philistines, whom they believe sent rain and assure a bountiful harvest. But the Philistines, like most of their pagan neighbors, worshiped many gods. The more gods they could have on their side, the more secure they felt. That was why they wanted the Ark, thinking that if it helped the Israelites, it could help them too. But when the people living nearby began to get sock and die, the Philistines realized that the Ark was not a good omen. It was a source of greater power than they ever seen--power they could not control.

The Philistines acknowledged the existence of the Hebrew god, but only as one of many deities whose favor they sought. Thinking of God in this way made it easy for them to ignore HIS demand that people worship HIM alone. 

Many people "worship" God this way. They see God as just one ingredient in a successful life. But God is far more than an ingredient--HE is the source of life itself. Are you a "Philistine" seeing God's favor as only an ingredient of the good life?

Dont let your desire cause you to neglect you family.. 1Sam3

Eli had spent his entire life in service to God. His responsibility was to eversee all the worship in Israel. But in pursuing this great mission he neglected the responsibilities in his own home. Dont let your desire to do God's work cause you to neglect your family. If you do, your mission may degenerate into a quest for personal importance, and your family will suffer the consequences of your neglect.

Ignoring the sins.. 1Sam2

Eli's sons took advantage of their position to satisfy their lust for power, possessions, and control. Eli knew that his sons were evil, but he did little to correct or stop them, even when the integrity of God's sanctuary was threatened. As the high priest, Eli should have responded by executing his sons. No wonder he chose not to confront the situation. But by ignoring their selfish actions, Eli let his sons ruin their own lives and others. 

There was time when serious problems must be confronted, even if the process and consequences could be painful.

Eli's son knew better, but they continued to disobey God deliberatelty by cheating, seducing, and robbing the people. Therefore, God planned to kill them. Any sin is wrong, but sin carried out deliberately and deceitfully is the worst kind. When sin carried out ignorance, we deserve punishment. But when we sin intentionally, the consequences will be more severe. Dont ignore God's warnings about sin. Abandon sin before it become a way of life.

Eli had a difficult time rearing his sons. He apparently didnt take any strong diciplinary action with them when he became aware of their wrongdoing. But Eli wasnt just a father trying to handle his rebellious sons, he was the high priest ignoring the sins of priest under his jurisdiction. As a result, the Lord took the necessaray disciplinary action that Eli wont.

Eli was guilty of honoring his sons above God by letting them continue in their sinful ways. Is there a situation in you life, family, or work that you allow to continue even though you know it is wrong? If so, you may become as guilty as those engaged in the wrong act.

God is all-knowing and Judge all sin and pride.. 1Sam2

No doubt as Hannah said these words, she was thinking of Peninnah's arrogance and chiding. Hannah didnt have to get even with Peninnah, she knew that God is all-knowing and that HE will judge all sin and pride. Hannah wisely left judgment up to God.

Resist the temptation to take justice into your own hands. God will weigh your deeds as well as the deeds of those who have wronged you.

Because we live in a world where evil abounds and where war and terrorism always threaten, we may forget that God as 1) Solid as a Rock, 2) The One who knows what we do 3) Sovereign over all the affairs of people 4) The Supreme Judge who administers perfect justice.

Remembering God's sovereign control helps us put both world and personal events in perspective.

God is Always Present.. 1Sam2

Hannah praised God for HIS answer to her prayer for a son. The theme of her poetic prayer is her confidence in God's sovereignty and her thankfulness for everything HE had done. We should be confident of God's ultimate control over the events in our lives, and we should be thankful for the ways God has blessed us. By praising God for all good gift, we acknowledge HIS ultimate control over all the affairs of life.

Hannah praised God for being a Rock-firm, strong, and unchanging. In our fast-paced world, friends come and go, and circumtances change. Its difficult to find a solid foundation that will not change. Those who devote their lives to achievements, causes, or possessions have as their secutiry that which is finite and changeable. The possessions that work so hard to obtain will all pass away. But God is always present. Hope in HIM, HE will never fail.