Samuel gives us an example of how to please the Lord. The people of the Old and New Testaments had different circumstances, but they did what we should. Samuel was the last of the judges of Israel. He advised Israel against getting a king, but they wanted to be like other nations. God let them have their way. That’s why Samuel was the last judge. He had a lot of respect among the people. He sought God year by year by making a circuit through the land. God led him to four cities, one each in the east, north, west, and south. He heard cases and judged them and guided the people.
God wants us to have a spiritual routine. Our spiritual life should be ordered and not on a whim. Do it in an orderly way.
I Samuel 7: 15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.17 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.
As Christians we have to continue all the days of our life. You don’t turn 62 and retire from going to church or serving the Lord. We serve him till our dying day. That’s what Samuel did in serving God as judge all the days of his life.
In his circuit, he first went to Bethel. The word Bethel means house of God. The first thing to do in our year is to be faithful to the house of the Lord. It’s a necessary part of our life. It’s just like going to work and eating and sleeping. You do those because you should. You go to God’s house because it’s our house and is God’s place to the world. Samuel made the circuit every year and he had precious memories at Bethel. It’s the place to be right now. As long as the church—the people—are in this world, the house of God will be here in its place.
Samuel went to Gilgal next. Kings were crowned here. It was a public meeting place. In our public life—work or out in the stores—we will come in contact with people every day. We’re called upon to be a witness to those around us.
Then he went north to Mizpeh. This is where Joshua and the children of Israel faced a hard battle against many kings in the conquest of the Promised Land. Israel was scared of the enemy, but God spoke to Joshua and told the people not to be afraid. The enemy would be delivered into their hands. We have a Mizpeh—a battle ground—of our own. The devil is against us now and will be a year from now. God gave victory in Joshua’s time and to Samuel in his time. The battle is the Lord’s. We need to stand our ground.
The last stop was Ramah, home to Samuel. He had good memories there. The home is where America is falling. As long as we serve the Lord in our homes, there is a chance for America. Israel prospered when Samuel kept home in his circuit.
We can have a year of blessings when we keep the church in our circuit. When we witness as we should we please the Lord. Remember victory is ours through the Lord and that we need to keep our homes in the center of God’s will.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 