Title: Return to the Lord
Text: 1 Samuel 7:1–6
Theme: God’s mercy is available when we truly repent and return to Him.
Objective: To inspire the church to forsake idols, turn wholeheartedly to God, and prepare our hearts for His presence and deliverance.
Introduction
The Ark of the Covenant had been in the house of Abinadab for 20 years. Israel was mourning but not yet repenting.
The nation longed for deliverance, but Samuel knew what was needed: a return to God with all their hearts.
Just like Israel, many today want God’s blessing but are hesitant to let go of idols.
1. God Waits for True Repentance (vv. 1–2)
The ark remained in Kiriath Jearim, away from public worship.
Israel “lamented after the Lord” — a sign of sorrow, but not yet transformation.
Application: God is patient, but He seeks genuine repentance, not just emotional regret.
Illustration: Crying over a broken relationship isn’t the same as changing what broke it.
2. Repentance Requires Action (v. 3)
Samuel calls them to:
Return with all your heart.
Put away foreign gods and Ashtaroth.
- Advertisement -Prepare your hearts and serve Him only.
Result: God will deliver you.
Key point: Repentance isn’t passive. It means rejecting idols and realigning our lives around God.
Modern Idols: Money, entertainment, popularity, pride, even religious traditions without heart.
3. Revival Begins with Surrender (vv. 4–5)
Israel responded by removing idols.
Samuel gathered them at Mizpah to intercede for them.
Mizpah became a place of national revival.
Application: Revival doesn’t begin in the streets or pews — it begins in the hearts of God’s people.
Quote: “You can’t have the God of the Bible while clinging to the gods of this world.”
4. Confession and Restoration (v. 6)
They fasted, confessed, and said: “We have sinned against the Lord.”
- Advertisement -Samuel judged them — guiding them back to righteousness.
True confession:
No excuses.
No blaming others.
No covering up.
Result: When repentance is real, God restores fellowship.
A Call to the Altar
Are there any idols in your life that need to be removed?
Are you truly serving the Lord with all your heart?
God is ready to deliver, heal, and restore — if we return to Him.
Call to Action: Let today be your Mizpah — a place of return, confession, and renewal.
As 1 Samuel 7:1–6 teaches us, true repentance must come from the heart.
To study this passage more deeply, check out these trusted Bible resources:
- Read 1 Samuel 7 (NIV) – Bible Gateway
- Blue Letter Bible – Commentary on 1 Samuel 7
- GotQuestions – What is Biblical Repentance?
- Desiring God – Returning to God Devotion
- Bible Hub – 1 Samuel 7 Parallel Commentaries
- OpenBible – Verses About Repentance
- Crosswalk – Returning to God After Falling Away
- Lenten Season
- Church Literatures
- God’s Words
- Spiritual Growth
- Harvest 2025
