Monday
Scene One – Forfeiting God’s Presence and Favor
“And she named the child Ichabod, saying, ‘The glory has departed from Israel!’” — 1 Samuel 4:21 (ESV)
In 1987, Eastern Air Lines was one of the largest airlines in America. But behind the scenes were financial problems, leadership conflict, and internal decay. By 1991, it was gone. The name still existed in memory, but the power and presence were gone.
That’s what happened in 1 Samuel 4. Israel went to battle assuming God was automatically with them. Instead of seeking Him in repentance, they treated the ark like a good-luck charm. When defeat came, and the ark was captured, Eli’s daughter-in-law named her son Ichabod, “the glory has departed.”
The tragedy wasn’t just military defeat; it was spiritual drift. God’s favor cannot be manipulated. His presence is not a prop. Psalm 16:11 says, “In your presence there is fullness of joy.” When we forfeit His presence, we lose more than we realize. For us at Second Baptist, activity must never replace intimacy. A full calendar is no substitute for a full heart.
Reflection Questions
Are you depending on religious routine instead of a daily relationship?
What would pursuing God’s presence intentionally look like this week?
Suggested Prayer
Lord, guard my heart from empty religion. May Your presence be my greatest pursuit.
“And she named the child Ichabod, saying, ‘The glory has departed from Israel!’” — 1 Samuel 4:21 (ESV)
In 1987, Eastern Air Lines was one of the largest airlines in America. But behind the scenes were financial problems, leadership conflict, and internal decay. By 1991, it was gone. The name still existed in memory, but the power and presence were gone.
That’s what happened in 1 Samuel 4. Israel went to battle assuming God was automatically with them. Instead of seeking Him in repentance, they treated the ark like a good-luck charm. When defeat came, and the ark was captured, Eli’s daughter-in-law named her son Ichabod, “the glory has departed.”
The tragedy wasn’t just military defeat; it was spiritual drift. God’s favor cannot be manipulated. His presence is not a prop. Psalm 16:11 says, “In your presence there is fullness of joy.” When we forfeit His presence, we lose more than we realize. For us at Second Baptist, activity must never replace intimacy. A full calendar is no substitute for a full heart.
Reflection Questions
Are you depending on religious routine instead of a daily relationship?
What would pursuing God’s presence intentionally look like this week?
Suggested Prayer
Lord, guard my heart from empty religion. May Your presence be my greatest pursuit.
Tuesday
Scene Two – Forgetting God’s Power and Might
“The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod.” — 1 Samuel 5:6 (ESV)
When the ark was placed beside Dagon in the Philistine temple, it looked like Israel’s God had been defeated. But by morning, Dagon had fallen facedown. The next day, he was shattered. God was proving He doesn’t compete; He reigns.
The Philistines learned what Israel had forgotten: God’s power cannot be reduced or relocated. Chapters 5–6 show plagues breaking out across Philistine cities. Panic followed the ark wherever it went.
Isaiah 40:28 reminds us, “The Lord is the everlasting God… He does not faint or grow weary.” When we forget His power, we panic in hardship. When we remember His power, we persevere in faith. In seasons of challenge, whether personal or congregational, we must remember who holds ultimate authority. God is not intimidated by culture, opposition, or obstacles.
Reflection Questions
Have you minimized God’s power in your current situation?
What would it look like to trust His might more fully today?
Suggested Prayer
Mighty God, enlarge my view of You. Help me remember Your power in every circumstance.
“The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod.” — 1 Samuel 5:6 (ESV)
When the ark was placed beside Dagon in the Philistine temple, it looked like Israel’s God had been defeated. But by morning, Dagon had fallen facedown. The next day, he was shattered. God was proving He doesn’t compete; He reigns.
The Philistines learned what Israel had forgotten: God’s power cannot be reduced or relocated. Chapters 5–6 show plagues breaking out across Philistine cities. Panic followed the ark wherever it went.
Isaiah 40:28 reminds us, “The Lord is the everlasting God… He does not faint or grow weary.” When we forget His power, we panic in hardship. When we remember His power, we persevere in faith. In seasons of challenge, whether personal or congregational, we must remember who holds ultimate authority. God is not intimidated by culture, opposition, or obstacles.
Reflection Questions
Have you minimized God’s power in your current situation?
What would it look like to trust His might more fully today?
Suggested Prayer
Mighty God, enlarge my view of You. Help me remember Your power in every circumstance.
Wednesday
Scene Three – Finding God’s Purpose and Plan
“If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods.” — 1 Samuel 7:3 (ESV)
A few years ago, a man admitted on a radio interview that he bought a treadmill, assembled it carefully, and proudly announced to his family that “this changes everything.” Six months later, it had become the most expensive clothing rack in the house. He joked, “It turns out I was more committed to the idea of fitness than the lifestyle of fitness.” Many of us felt personally attacked.
That’s Israel in 1 Samuel 7. For twenty years, they had the idea of being God’s people, but their hearts were cluttered with Baals and Ashtaroth. Samuel didn’t call for better branding or stronger marketing. He called for removal. “Put away the foreign gods.” Do not rearrange them. Do not minimize them. Remove them.
Finding God’s purpose begins with clearing out what competes with Him. Verse 3 emphasizes returning “with all your heart.” That phrase signals covenant loyalty, undivided devotion. Repentance in Scripture is not sentimental; it is directional. They gathered at Mizpah, fasted, confessed, and said plainly, “We have sinned.” Revival started when excuses stopped.
Sometimes we want God’s plan without God’s pruning. But Psalm 24:3–4 reminds us that those who ascend the hill of the Lord must have “clean hands and a pure heart.” At Second Baptist, whenever we sense God leading us into new opportunities, the first question is not “What’s next?” but “Is our heart right?”
Reflection Questions
What in your life has quietly become a “clothing rack treadmill”—something that crowds out true devotion? What practical step of repentance could help realign you with God’s purpose?
Suggested Prayer
Father, I don’t want the appearance of devotion without the reality of surrender. Cleanse my heart and lead me fully into Your purpose.
“If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods.” — 1 Samuel 7:3 (ESV)
A few years ago, a man admitted on a radio interview that he bought a treadmill, assembled it carefully, and proudly announced to his family that “this changes everything.” Six months later, it had become the most expensive clothing rack in the house. He joked, “It turns out I was more committed to the idea of fitness than the lifestyle of fitness.” Many of us felt personally attacked.
That’s Israel in 1 Samuel 7. For twenty years, they had the idea of being God’s people, but their hearts were cluttered with Baals and Ashtaroth. Samuel didn’t call for better branding or stronger marketing. He called for removal. “Put away the foreign gods.” Do not rearrange them. Do not minimize them. Remove them.
Finding God’s purpose begins with clearing out what competes with Him. Verse 3 emphasizes returning “with all your heart.” That phrase signals covenant loyalty, undivided devotion. Repentance in Scripture is not sentimental; it is directional. They gathered at Mizpah, fasted, confessed, and said plainly, “We have sinned.” Revival started when excuses stopped.
Sometimes we want God’s plan without God’s pruning. But Psalm 24:3–4 reminds us that those who ascend the hill of the Lord must have “clean hands and a pure heart.” At Second Baptist, whenever we sense God leading us into new opportunities, the first question is not “What’s next?” but “Is our heart right?”
Reflection Questions
What in your life has quietly become a “clothing rack treadmill”—something that crowds out true devotion? What practical step of repentance could help realign you with God’s purpose?
Suggested Prayer
Father, I don’t want the appearance of devotion without the reality of surrender. Cleanse my heart and lead me fully into Your purpose.
Thursday
Turn from Sin and Idolatry
“So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.” — 1 Samuel 7:4 (ESV)
Comedian Jim Gaffigan once joked about trying to eat healthy: “I like to eat cake… and then immediately talk about going to the gym.” The crowd laughs because we recognize the pattern: confession without change. The humor hits close to home because we often want spiritual growth while keeping comfortable compromises. But divided loyalty weakens spiritual strength.
Israel had done plenty of talking over the years. But in 1 Samuel 7:4, something different happened: they put away the Baals and Ashtaroth. That phrase implies deliberate action. Idols were not just emotional attachments; they were physical objects tied to false worship and false security.
Repentance always involves subtraction before addition. They removed the idols so they could “serve the Lord only.” The word only matters. Exclusive devotion is the pathway to restored fellowship. Jesus would later echo this in Matthew 4:10: “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” God does not share His throne.
When Israel removed the idols, they positioned themselves for God’s intervention. Cleansing preceded victory. Obedience preceded blessing. For us, turning from sin may feel costly, but it clears the way for joy. God’s purpose flourishes in undivided hearts.
Reflection Questions
Is there a compromise you keep “talking about” but haven’t truly removed?
What would serving the Lord “only” look like in your daily routine?
Suggested Prayer
Lord, give me courage to remove what competes with You. I choose to serve You only fully, faithfully, and wholeheartedly.
“So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.” — 1 Samuel 7:4 (ESV)
Comedian Jim Gaffigan once joked about trying to eat healthy: “I like to eat cake… and then immediately talk about going to the gym.” The crowd laughs because we recognize the pattern: confession without change. The humor hits close to home because we often want spiritual growth while keeping comfortable compromises. But divided loyalty weakens spiritual strength.
Israel had done plenty of talking over the years. But in 1 Samuel 7:4, something different happened: they put away the Baals and Ashtaroth. That phrase implies deliberate action. Idols were not just emotional attachments; they were physical objects tied to false worship and false security.
Repentance always involves subtraction before addition. They removed the idols so they could “serve the Lord only.” The word only matters. Exclusive devotion is the pathway to restored fellowship. Jesus would later echo this in Matthew 4:10: “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” God does not share His throne.
When Israel removed the idols, they positioned themselves for God’s intervention. Cleansing preceded victory. Obedience preceded blessing. For us, turning from sin may feel costly, but it clears the way for joy. God’s purpose flourishes in undivided hearts.
Reflection Questions
Is there a compromise you keep “talking about” but haven’t truly removed?
What would serving the Lord “only” look like in your daily routine?
Suggested Prayer
Lord, give me courage to remove what competes with You. I choose to serve You only fully, faithfully, and wholeheartedly.
Friday
Trust in God for the Victory
“And Samuel took a stone and set it up… and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’” — 1 Samuel 7:12 (ESV)
Both the men’s and women’s U.S. Olympic Hockey teams recently won Gold Medals. During the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey run, commentator Al Michaels famously asked, “Do you believe in miracles?” after the American team defeated the heavily favored Soviets. It wasn’t just skill; it was belief that fueled victory.
In 1 Samuel 7:10, as Israel worshiped and cried out, the Lord thundered against the Philistines. God Himself fought for them. The difference between chapter 4 and chapter 7 is simple: in chapter 4, they carried the ark; in chapter 7, they trusted the Lord. Victory came not from religious symbols but from surrendered hearts.
Samuel set up a stone of remembrance, called an Ebenezer, which read, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” It was a visible reminder of invisible faithfulness. Psalm 20:7 declares, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” As we look ahead as a church family, our confidence is not in methods but in the Lord. Every salvation, every ministry opportunity, every answered prayer is an Ebenezer moment. Let’s trust Him for the next victory.
Reflection Questions
Where do you need to shift from self-reliance to God-reliance?
What “Ebenezer” can you thank God for today?
Suggested Prayer
Lord, You have helped us this far. I trust You for the victories ahead. Strengthen my faith and steady my heart.
“And Samuel took a stone and set it up… and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’” — 1 Samuel 7:12 (ESV)
Both the men’s and women’s U.S. Olympic Hockey teams recently won Gold Medals. During the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey run, commentator Al Michaels famously asked, “Do you believe in miracles?” after the American team defeated the heavily favored Soviets. It wasn’t just skill; it was belief that fueled victory.
In 1 Samuel 7:10, as Israel worshiped and cried out, the Lord thundered against the Philistines. God Himself fought for them. The difference between chapter 4 and chapter 7 is simple: in chapter 4, they carried the ark; in chapter 7, they trusted the Lord. Victory came not from religious symbols but from surrendered hearts.
Samuel set up a stone of remembrance, called an Ebenezer, which read, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” It was a visible reminder of invisible faithfulness. Psalm 20:7 declares, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” As we look ahead as a church family, our confidence is not in methods but in the Lord. Every salvation, every ministry opportunity, every answered prayer is an Ebenezer moment. Let’s trust Him for the next victory.
Reflection Questions
Where do you need to shift from self-reliance to God-reliance?
What “Ebenezer” can you thank God for today?
Suggested Prayer
Lord, You have helped us this far. I trust You for the victories ahead. Strengthen my faith and steady my heart.
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