Thus far the Lord has helped us.
1 Samuel 7:12
When we review the story of God's people, it is clear that often the hand of God's protection was protecting Israel. When we review the story of God’s people, it is also clear that sometimes it was removed from Israel.
Does that mean God is fickle? No. A closer examination shows that sometimes the hearts in Israel were inclined toward God ... and sometimes their hearts were very far from the Lord. God's response to Israel, therefore, was based on Israel's response to him.
God cares desperately about our human circumstances. (He wouldn't have sent his Son in human form if he didn't!) Nevertheless, he cares more about our eternal circumstances! Therefore, when we're busy running away from God, God generally isn't busy blessing our wayward human circumstances. (Like a wise and loving parent, we doesn’t reward bad behavior.)
In 1 Samuel 7, Israel is battling the Philistines. Samuel's evaluation of the battle: "12 Thus far the Lord has helped us."
Does he view that as a permanent guarantee of success? No. Therefore, Samuel reminds Israel -- and each of us -- that we must "8 not cease to cry out to the Lord our God."
In Christ's Love,
a guy who's crying out
because it's clear
that too many in our world
are turning away
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