Even in the darkest place - God is greater

Context

A little context for todays message.

Do you ever read your bible and something jumps out at you?

Do you ever find that you keep arriving back at the same passage, phrase or vers?

Do you ever find that things totally unconnected with the bible keep pointing you back to something you have read?

Today’s meesage is one of those.

Where I want to speak from today is in the book of

The passage that I want to focus on starts “After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.”

After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.”

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

I think it is safe to assume that even with the basic understanding of the Old Testement and no more information we can all recognise; That if the Ark of the covenant, is in the hands of Israels enamies (the philistines), If the Ark of God was being taken to the temple of another god - this was not a great time for the Jewish nation.

need to give some context to where in narrative of the biible this all takes place.

Lets look where in narrative of the bible this all takes place.

The book of Samuel is set at the point of history where the Jewish nation were overseen by judges and priests, it is the t turning point between the rule of the Judges and the introduction of Kings.

The 300 or so years of the history of Israel under the Judges were marked by political, moral, and spiritual anarchy and deterioration. The situation was so pervasive that even the sons of Eli, the high priest at the end of the 12th century, had completely gone off the rails and had used their priestly office for their own gain and licentious pursuits. Just when it seemed that the nation would cave in on its own rottenness, God steps in.

The book of Sameul is about three main charecters Samuel, Saul and David.

The part of the story I want fo focus on though involves Samuel and a very young Samuel at that.

The

Samuel - born of promise

Samuel - was born out of a promise. His mother Hannah could not have children, infact her husband had taken a second wife in order to bear him a son.

There is a a whole intesting soap opera just in that - the bible makes it clear though, her husband Elkanah loved Hannah deeply.

The second wife loved Hannah less so…

The Message Chapter 1

But her rival wife taunted her cruelly, rubbing it in and never letting her forget that GOD had not given her children. This went on year after year. Every time she went to the sanctuary of GOD she could expect to be taunted. Hannah was reduced to tears and had no appetite.

8  Her husband Elkanah said, “Oh, Hannah, why are you crying? Why aren’t you eating? And why are you so upset? Am I not of more worth to you than ten sons?”

This went on for years -

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

You get the picture.

Hannah took action

This continued until Hannah took action. The Jeremy Kyle show had not started at this point in history - so Hannah took this to God.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a repeated pattern - we are given the ability to take action. We may not be able to alter the situation but we can take it to God.

The Message Chapter 1

The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to GOD’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to GOD and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow:

Oh, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies,

If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain,

If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me

By giving me a son,

I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you.

I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.

When we do things differently don’t expect those around us to understand.

The Message Chapter 1

It so happened that as she continued in prayer before GOD, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, “You’re drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!”

The world will not always recognise what we are doing when we place things in Gods hands.

the concept of faith is alien to some.

many people are fearful of change (evenn when it is not their change) - the better the devil you know attitude.

The Message Chapter 1

Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please! I’m a woman hard used. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to GOD. Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.”

17  Eli answered her, “Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.”

18  “Think well of me—and pray for me!” she said, and went her way. Then she ate heartily, her face radiant.

The Message Chapter 1

It so happened that as she continued in prayer before GOD, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, “You’re drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!”

15–16  Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please! I’m a woman hard used. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to GOD. Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.”

17  Eli answered her, “Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.”

18  “Think well of me—and pray for me!” she said, and went her way. Then she ate heartily, her face radiant.

Have you noticed the change in Hannah- she was radient, she was eating healthely - but nothing had changed - she still had no Son.

Something had changed though, something had changed in Hannahs heart and something had changed in the heavenlies - God had started to control the situation.

Something had changed in Hannahs heart and something had changed in the heavenlies - God had started to control the situation.

Samuel - commited to the Lord

When Samuell was three he was commited to the Lord

He lived at the temple - serving the temple court and serving Eli the Chief priest.

The New International Version Chapter 2

26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.

As a footnote - Hannah had five other children as God honoured his promise, as the things that God set in motion in the heavnlies when he heard Hannah’s praye worked out in the natural. God’s promise to Hannah was fulfilled.

A few weeks again I gave you a defiition of a promise,

​The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Promise: A promise is a word that goes forth into unfilled time. It reaches ahead of its speaker and its recipient, to mark an appointment between them in the future.

The promises of God reveal his particular and eternal purposes to which he is unchangeably committed and upon which believers can totally depend.

Eli a priest muddling his way through

Eli was a priest mudding his way through, you get the sense that he was totally commited to serving God in the temple, but had not connected that God exists beyond the temple.

What do I mean by this - well it is a little like people that attend church on sunday and are the model church going bible believing Christian between 10am and midday, but Monday through saturday - you would not even know that they are christians, their lives do not reflect it. they are dishonest, course, manupulative, gossips.

In Elis case it was less him and more his sons that were the problem...

12 Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord. 13 Now it was the practice of the priests that, whenever any of the people offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being boiled 14 and would plunge the fork into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot. Whatever the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

1 Samuel 2:12–14 NIV

12 Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord. 13 Now it was the practice of the priests that, whenever any of the people offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being boiled 14 and would plunge the fork into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot. Whatever the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh.

They were stealing from God.

The equivalent would be Andrew or Alice taking the purple notes out of the collection! - I’ll save all our blushes by not going into some of their other bad behaviours. ( Eli’s sons that is not Alice and Andrew’s)

Eli’s problem was that he was aware of what they were doing but did nothing.

Eli -

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Ephesians 6:4 NIV

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV

9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Proverbs 19:18 NIV

18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Proverbs 13:24 NCV

24 If you do not punish your children, you don’t love them, but if you love your children, you will correct them.

Fathers are called to be responsible for their children.

Mothers - this means you too

Those of you who are sitting their thinking I don’t have kids, or my kids have grown up and moved away, those of <cough> ‘more advance years’ - you are the mothers and fathers of the church family - you are responsible too. The Igbo and Yoruba proverb "It takes a village to raise a child" is correct - it takes a church family to raise a child. Be that a literal child or a child in the faith.

Samuel meanwhile continued to serve. Continued to grow.

Samual and the voice of God.

Back to Samuel, Samuel meanwhile continued to serve. Continued to grow.

1 Samuel 3:1–11 NIV

1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.

Recognition

Samual had to learn to recognise the voice of God.

He didn’t immediatly recognise it.

acceptace

He had to accept the message - speak, for your servant is listening

God gave him a message that was hard to bear, and difficult to communicate.

action

He had to communicate the message to Eli.

Recognise, accept and act are skills each of us need to develop in terms of living our lives with God.

It applies to prophech, provision, love, Gods disicpline. - R A & A

The prophesy God gave to Samuel, triggered the death of Eli’s two Son’s, the defeat of the Jewish nation in battle by the Philistines, the capture of the Ark of the coveneant and the death of Eli,

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

1 Samuel 4:18 NLT

18 When the messenger mentioned what had happened to the Ark of God, Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate. He broke his neck and died, for he was old and overweight. He had been Israel’s judge for forty years.

God’s Judgement

Defeat

Elis death

The view in the natural.

This brings me to the passage that I feel God want’s to focus on. The passage that has kept coming up

That is not to say that the lessons we can take from the the previous 20 minutes are not imporant

Guiding our youngsters - children or those new to the faith is critical

Being authenic in our walk with Jesus and letting our weekly lives reflect our sunday belief is crucial

Taking things to God when we feel trapped in a situation and leaning on his promises is a great behaviour to develop.

Learning to recognise, accept and act on Gods word.

1 Samuel 5:1–2 NIV

1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.

1 Sam. 5:1-

The natural situation was grim the glory of God had left, the isralites, the ark was lost. Their priests were dead, thousands of their fighting men were dead. but watch what happens next...

1 Samuel 5:1–5 NIV

1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. 5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.

1 Samuel 5:1-

When God enters the situation - nothing can stand against him. Not people, not gods - nothing.

All will bow to the authority and the glory of God.

God’s is greater than all.

It is easy to get into a position like Hannah

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

Hannah would go to the temple, be taunted, get upset - a year would pass

We get ourselves caught up in situations where we can’t get out.

We form habbits or behaviour patterns that we can’t give up

They become like little Gods that we revisit and displace the riches that our God as in store for us.

God has put this passge on my hear because I believe that he wants to set some people free. He wants you to know that when he comes into the situation - like the ark coming into the idols temple- His authority is greater. Like Dagon - that situation, that behaviour, that relationship, that sin - will fall before God’s Authority. - It may have been stood back up many times but I hear God saying - enough is enough - call out to him and this is the day that the Lord will break of the hands and the head of what is keeping you captive. He wants to deal with it once and for all, so that you will not step into that place again - you will not stop the threshold.

Conclusion

1 Sam 2:

You can read what happens after this in 1 Samuel, it involves Golden Rats and Golden Tumours - neither very flattering Jewlery

I want to leave you with Hannah’s prayer of thanks- a prayer the revels how God treats us when we are set free.

1 Samuel 2:1–10 NLT

1 Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. 2 No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3 “Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions. 4 The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. 5 Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. 6 The Lord gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. 7 The Lord makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. 8 He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord’s, and he has set the world in order. 9 “He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. 10 Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the Lord judges throughout the earth. He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one.”