THURSDAY, JULY 6
Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:9-13

God executed judgment on Eli and his sons. In one day, their priesthood ended. Then Samuel took over and we saw a significant change – the fear of God restored integrity to the priesthood. In 1 Samuel 7:9-13 we are told, “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. 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. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car. 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.’ So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.” All the days of Samuel, the Hand of the Lord was against the Philistines and they were subdued. Samuel ministered like Jesus, the prophet like Moses. Was that Jesus’ anointing Samuel to do and declare judgment like the anointing Moses declared in Egypt. That judgment came first to the house of God and then Samuel could pray it over the Philistines. Was Samuel a prophet like Moses? He certainly bears that mark. Today’s church has to grow into representing all of Who Christ is if we are going to be prepared to help bring in the great end-time harvest. Building this aspect of Jesus in us can be the fruit of praying in the Spirit!