2 Samuel 12:21

The Providence of God in times of Spiritual Crisis

There was a spiritual crisis in Israel. Everyone did as they saw fit.

Judges 17:6 NASB95

6 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.

There were no moral absolutes; and the result was chaos and darkness. In short, it was a nation blighted by sin.

This spiritual crisis has not only affected the people but even those who are supposed to lead people to God - the Priesthood!

We might ask, what will happen if the central religious and spiritual institution becomes corrupt? (like the church…)

and what shall we do when spiritual crisis happens in our church?

My prayer is that the message today will equip us to be prepared and will serve as our guidance when Spiritual Crisis will happen in our church!

I. Spiritual crisis can happen even in the religious and spiritual institutions.

It can happen to a Church or a Christian Family

Signs to look at:

When the spiritual leaders serve themselves before God.

Like the sons of Eli:

The problem of idolatry is it is internal (in the heart). The word “worthless” in Hebrew literraly means “sons of Belial”. Belial means wickedness or evil person. They know who the Lord is but they did not acknowledge God’s authority. They are considered “Worthless”, “wicked”, “scoundrel”. (v.12)

They know who the Lord is but they did not acknowledge God’s authority.

A person who knows the Bible but does not do what it says is useless or purposeless - a fool.

James 1:22 NLT

22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Confessional Theology VS Functional Theology

Look at their actions that shows shameless greediness:

they take a portion of the offering more than what is allowed by the ritual law (vv.13-15). Serving for personal gain. They were robbing God.

they take the offering by force (v.16) . Abuse of Authority, exploiting the people they were meant to be serving. They don’t care about the people’s spiritual condition.

their sins are were great because they treat the offering of the Lord with contempt (v.17). They looked down on the offering. They don’t care about the importance of the offerings.

This is very tragic! But we do not lose hope even in Spiritual Crisis, Think of this, God is Holy! and He will preserve his name by exposing and replacing those who are shaming His name, like the sons of Eli. The holiness of God cannot be mocked.

Reflection:

a. You can be active in the works of God without love for God.

b. Knowledge about God does not guarantee that one has love for God.

c. Growing up in church or having Godly parents does not guarantee that the children will have the same faith when they grow up.

We have to understand total depravity - after the fall, humans are inclined to sin...

We have to understand the presence of the sinful nature even in Christians - brethren, we need to guard our hearts everyday.

We need to have our hearts checked, tuned, aligned...

How to check if you are in a Spiritual Crisis:

In your decision making, who’s will is done? Yours or God?

Do you serve only for personal gain?

Do you care for the Lord and for his people?

II. God will not allow for spiritual crisis to continue forever. God will do what is needed that only He can - the work of Sanctification.

A. God’s solution to the spiritual crisis of the nation that corrupted the priesthood is to raise up a Priest to lead the people back to God. God is sanctifying the nation starting from Samuel.

1 Samuel 2:18–19 NASB95

18 Now Samuel was ministering before the Lord, as a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

A contrast between the ungodly and the godly (Family of Samuel vs Family of Eli)

Eli’s sons - disregarded God, serving the self before God (they take the sacrifices for themselves)

Samuel - seriously serving the Lord as prescribed (wearing ephod)

Samuel’s family remained involved in the life of their Son Samuel in contrast to Eli’s lack of authority over his sons (v.26)

Hannah’s dedication to the Lord was imparted to her son Samuel…while Eli on the other hand has condoned the shamelessness and half hearted dedication to his sons.

B. God’s blessing was with Hannah’s family

1 Samuel 2:20–21 NASB95

20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you children from this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the Lord.” And they went to their own home. 21 The Lord visited Hannah; and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord.

God blesses and give favor to those who faithfully obey the Lord. On the other hand,

God will raise faithful servant leaders to replace those who are self-serving.

As we can observe, Samuel grew not just physically but morally and spiritually as well (v.26)

Reflection:

I believe that God will see to it that his church will be presented to Him holy and blameless. God will continue His work of Sanctification in His church.

In God’s work of sanctification, God employs means and people that are aligned to God’s purposes and will.

here it is Samuel’s mother who helps Samuel.

Samuel was exposed to the corruption of Eli’s sons but he did not waiver. I believe that God used Hannah to nurture Samuel in the faith and understanding who God is! Because Hannah herself has an intimate relationship with God.

The Gospel:

A. Jesus is our great High Priest who is faithful to lead us and to reconcile us to the Father! Unlike the Son’s of Eli, Jesus did not come to serve himself but to serve. He served willingly and faithfully. He did not waiver from his mission, he was tempted by Satan but did not sin!

Hebrews 2:17–18 NASB95

17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

B. The Gospel is not just for the lost but even for those who have gone through spiritual crisis. God’s work of salvation is ongoing in our lives in sanctification. Take heart because we have a high priest in Jesus who sympathize with our weaknesses. Our God is a god of Restoration!

Hebrews 4:14–16 NASB95

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Proper Response:

To prevent Spiritual Crisis from happening:

Take time every morning and evening to examine the condition of your heart. Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23–24 NASB95

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

A heart of surrender and dependence!

2. Take accountability seriously. Do you have accountability partners? Are you honestly sharing your struggles so that others can pray for you? Accountability is very helpful in preventing spiritual crisis and also in restoring those who are in spiritual crisis.

Philippians 2:4 NASB95

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB95

11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Galatians 6:1 NASB95

1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Conclusion:

The Providence of God is our comfort. Even in times of spiritual crisis, God will not stand by and allow us to continue to sin and consequently harm ourselves. God will intervene and continue to sanctify us until He comes again.