Father’s Day is truly appropriate for this series of study. We have already covered some very interesting territory. And, many things have been very clearly revealed through God’s Word in the first six chapters of the Book of 1 Samuel as it relates to our relationship with God, as well as some do’s and don'ts. Contrary to popular opinion, God really does have a plan ... a very specific way He wants things to be done ... and He really does have a man ... someone to rise to the occasion, whom He has called AND prepared for a very specific job that must be done. Is it always something glamorous and popular? No! However, it is ALWAYS something very important ... regardless of how insignificant it may seem to anyone else OR how insignificant the adversary of our soul wants us to "think" it is. And, that’s why you and I should be very diligent in doing what ever it is God has called us to do. It is sad to consider this, but there are those who don’t know what God has called them to do ... besides be a Witness, as we’re all called to do ... because they haven’t truly prayed and sought God’s face regarding their calling. But, I can tell you this: Once a person lays aside their own will, their ideas and opinions, and they truly seek the Face of God regarding their "calling", He will open it up to them very clearly. This is NOT always the case, but for me, it took taking my little family, leaving our home and relatives behind, going to a distant place, and going through what I refer to as a 15 year "spiritual" boot camp. So, when I see those who really don’t know what God has called them to do, or those who are not concerned about what God has called them to do, it makes me realize just how important that boot camp really was, and how blessed I really am. I wouldn’t want to go back through that boot camp. But, it prepared me for the many battles I’ve fought since then. Everybody likes things to go smooth ... nice and easy. Nobody likes adversity, or having to deal with problems. But, isn’t it good to know that the battle really ain’t ours? All God asks us to do is to just show up, and be faithful and true. And, He’ll take care of all the big stuff. That is a consolation which those who are caught up in this world do NOT have.

According to the Word of God, there is a very significant difference between that of "being" a father and that of just "fathering" ... or bringing a child into this world. And, we will pick back up with 1 Samuel Chapter 7, keeping in mind that Father’s Day is in recognition of the fathers who bear in their heart, soul, mind and body the pain and scars associated with that lofty title, who understand what being a father is all about ... who don’t make excuses, or look for sympathy from others, for their short comings ... who acknowledge God as being our Father, who set the example before us all.

1 Samuel 7:1-3 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, And brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

**IF** we expect God’s blessings and protection, we MUST do things HIS way, not ours. The ark of the covenant was supposed to be carried by the Levites with the staves in the rings on the side of the ark ... NOT carried on a cart, pulled by animals. And, it wasn’t just an old trunk to be rummaged through. Therefore, a simple truth we MUST come to understand is that God does NOT reward disobedience, disregard or rebellion in a positive way. It would do us all well to think about this one, and never forget it

1 Samuel 7:4-8 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

Years before, and as covered in previous chapters (and studies) the Philistines were panic stricken when they heard the celebration when the ark of the covenant was brought into the camp of the Hebrews. It was known throughout the land what God had done to those who crossed Him. However, because of the Hebrews’ spiritual condition at that time God allowed the Philistines to defeat them, and take the ark of the covenant away from them. Then, they made the big mistake of thinking the victory was because of their own might and strength. So, they put the ark of the covenant in the house of their god, Dagon. And, after God showed His strength, and stood up for Himself, they put the ark of the covenant on a animal drawn cart, along with a trespass offering, and sent it out of their midst. And, when the animals went straight back to the Hebrews, they knew without a doubt that God had been in their midst. However, even though the Hebrews were ecstatic, and used the wood of the cart and the animals that pulled it as a burnt offering to God, they took upon themselves to raise the lid, and look inside the ark. And, God smote them, too. So, they decided they really ought to do things the way God wants them done. And, this sorts of sets the stage for where we are.

1 Samuel 7:9-12 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

Not only is it important to do things God’s way, it is important to acknowledge what God does as being from the Lord ... to recognize Him, to honor Him.

1 Sameul 7:13-17 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

What a difference it makes when you do things God’s way AND you render unto Him what He’s due! It is really amazing to me at the many lessons that are revealed in the first seven Chapters of 1 Samuel. It also amazes me to see how things have ebbed and flowed, and gone through cycles, down through the Centuries. God moves and blesses and people are drawn to Him. They fall away, and He shakes things up. But, God always has a Plan ... and He always has a man. The "faith chapter", Hebrews Chapter 11 is full of examples of those whom God called, prepared and used to do a very important job. It would be a very good thing to familiarize ourselves with each of the examples, and remember that your job and my job is not any less important than any of these .....

Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:11-12 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Hebrews 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

Hebrews 11:23-28 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Hebrews 11:32-40 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

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