Carol J German

There is a continuous war going on behind what we can see on this side of heaven; see Ephesians 6:12. It is God’s battle zone where He is continually fighting for you as well as me. What is He battling? He is fighting for your soul and mine. Every person that has been given life is sinful. It began with Adam and Eve in the Garden when a rebellious serpent deceived them to disobey God; read Genesis 3. Because of sin, every person must find their way back to God.

God gives each person a choice to find their way back to Him or go their own way. In this freedom to choose, the rebellious serpent, known as Satan, is doing all he can to keep anyone and everyone from finding their way to God, thus there is a battle zone going on in the spiritual realm. It never ceases for a respite. It can’t for the cost of lost souls is too great for God to just sit idly by and let Satan deceive generation after generation. His love is too deep to allow this to happen.

Your soul is too valuable for God to just sit and watch you head to an empty grave apart from Him.

In 1 Samuel 7:3-17, you discover your sinful nature, what God is doing on your behalf, as well as what to expect because of the battle that wages for your soul. The Israelites had made a common error that every generation of people make. Read 1 Samuel 4-6 and discover where the Israelites went wrong in their faith. This common error is what fuels Satan’s side of the battle.

So now you get to chapter 7 and Samuel, the young prophet who became Israel’s judge, spoke up. God’s people needed a refocusing of how they are living life. “IF you are serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods. Determine to obey only the Lord, THEN He will rescue you from the (enemy).”³

God had abandoned the Israelites for their disobedience. They were placed in enemy territory. This was an eye-opener for them so they obeyed Samuel instructions. They got rid of their idols and worshiped the Lord.

What gods do you need to get rid of that keep you from walking in all sincerity with the Lord? How determined are you in obeying Him? Those that take this lightly will find themselves unable to hear from God. He does leave uninterested souls alone; read Jeremiah 5:20-31 for a wake up call to how depraved you (and I) are because of sin.

Samuel leads God’s people back to God; see verse 5-6. Pay attention to what needs to take place for restoration to occur. Everything begins with a turn from sinful ways and prayer. No one can get to God in their own efforts. Every restored soul will become fully reliant back on God and walk in obedience. They fasted and confessed that they had sinned.

Every true follower of God will take these steps. They will see their own sins and respond appropriately. A breaking of sinful habits must occur. Each person is responsible for their own response towards God. Then, God can step in and help you become mature in God’s Son while you learn to obey the Holy Spirit’s voice. When a heart seeks the truth, God will become close and personal with you.

Are you getting a better picture of the battle zone that wages around you and I although we cannot see it? God is fighting the evil one. As you make choices that lead towards God, Satan will advance all the more to instill fear so you will cower back and deny the power of God within you. He will keep you blind and unresponsive to your own sins.

Look at our amazing God! When you plead to God for your salvation, He will step in and save you from the evil one as well as yourself. Reread verse 10 and be encouraged, “The (enemy) arrived to attack, but the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder and the (enemy) was thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated the (enemy)!” The enemy was slaughtered; see verse 11. Praise the Lord for His deliverance!

This is the most wonderful news ever my friend! What ever you face, the Lord is helping you! For the Lord will never sit by and watch the enemy take you down. He loves you too much. Do you really understand His love? Is your life reflecting the biblical love that God reveals through His Son?

How deep you go with Christ is an indicator.

Do you fully rely on God’s Word is an indicator?

Marriage is an indicator of your faith. Is a husband leading spiritually, a wife and children respectful?

If Jesus isn’t first, what is? This is an indicator.

Your obedience to the Holy Spirit is an indicator of your desire to follow wholeheartedly.

Finally, God is battling for your soul. Are you making it worth His time or does He have to abandon you to Satan? He gives you the freedom to choose. Choose wisely.