“Then the men of Kirjath Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord. So it was that the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the P ines.” 4 So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. 5 And Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6 So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.”” 1 Samuel 7:1-6 NKJV
“And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Then Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”” 1 Samuel 7:9-12
Faithful God,
Yet again the children of Israel turn to You and promise to put away foreign idols and return their hearts to worshipping only You. Yet again we see Your faithful, longsuffering patient endurance with the people You have chosen, made promises to and planned for.
And while they are vulnerable, repenting with an act of sacrifice with Samuel their enemy seeks to take advantage. ut You Lord are their very real shield and defender. And the Philistines are routed by Your thunder upon them.
The best and safest place to be is humbly at Your feet Lord. Even if the enemy seems to be right upon us we can trust in Your saving grace and sometimes thunder! You know how to rout the enemy and it doesn’t always have to be by standing our ground.
Thank You for Your eternal forgiveness, patience, longsuffering and great love. And for Your joy which comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5) when we see You have sending the enemy running.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 27th March 2026
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of all creation
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of all creation
Of water, earth and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
When I stumble in the darkness (I will call Your name by night)
I will call Your name by night
Chorus
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Chorus
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Lyrics: Steve Hindalong, Marc Byrd (Third Day).