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1 Samuel 7:10-11
The Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car.

God Forgives

The past three days have focused on an incident in Israel’s history, an incident in which they messed up. They placed the most precious object of their nation in harm’s way by bringing it out to the battlefield as a good luck charm. When the Philistines captured it, they became sick and their god fell over. Finally, the Ark was returned to Israel, but some of the Jews didn’t live to tell about it because they treated it as a curiosity. We have seen God’s power, his jealousy, and his holiness in the progress of the story so far. The end of the story will reveal yet another important characteristic of God—his forgiveness.

Twenty years after the Ark was returned to Israel, the Philistines were on the warpath again. This time, Israel did the right things in seeking God’s help. They all came together to pray and offer sacrifices, hoping God would forgive them and come to their rescue. Rather than relying on the Ark of the Covenant, the sought God’s presence and power.

Things were different now, though. Israel had learned about God’s holiness. They had also learned something about themselves. They realized that they had sinned. As they cried out to God, confessing their sins, the Philistines attacked. This time, though, God fought for them. He thundered and the sound of the thunder sent the Philistine army into a panic. They fled wildly across the countryside with the Israelites in hot pursuit. The Israelites won because God fought for them. He had turned the tables and rescued Israel from her enemy.

Our history with God is often very much like what Israel experienced. We take him for granted, often acting like he’s no more than a good luck charm. We expect him to rescue us whenever we’re in trouble because of our bad choices. Friends, possessions, and activities may keep us from focusing on God as our very best friend. Day after day we leave him out of our lives. God often lets us lose for a while so we see how disastrous life if don’t have his power and presence on our side. Then, wham! Satan puts a temptation in our way and we just know we’re dead. But, somehow God turns the attack around, sends the tempter running, and shows us just how very much he loves us. At that point we realize how valuable our relationship to God really is. Truly, nothing is more important.

God forgives us. That is the best news we could ever hear, especially when we know the mess we’re in is our own fault. God responds to our cries for help just like he did for the Israelites. He drives away the enemy of our soul and gives us victory—not because we deserve it, but because he loves us too much to let us lose forever.

Psalm 103:10-11 says it this way: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” Jesus said that God is our loving father who loves to give us good gifts. One of the very best gifts he gives is forgiveness.

Today’s Prayer: