Posted in A Father's Love, Devotions, Holiness, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

I Samuel 2 Part 3–God Will Not Be Mocked

Sin sort of sneaks up on you.  A little compromise here, a little stretch there and, boom ones life is out of control.  Eli, I am sure, loved God and was a great priest. But, as his kids grew and continued to spin out of control, it was easier for him to simply do nothing rather than to take the stand he needed to with his sons.  Sadly, his failure to act was a direct disgrace to God. His sons were a blight on Israel and the people feared them rather than fearing God. Meanwhile, Eli ate well and did not have to do much so…what could be so bad—right?
 
God has shown time after time he will not be mocked.  When his people dishonor him–there will be a consequence.  So it was with Eli–God sent a prophet to tell Eli his failure to corral his boys would not only destroy them, but it would cost his family their positions as God’s priests–forever! I am sure from the moment the message was given, Eli regretted his failure to act.  He knew what he had done was wrong, and that he had dishonored the one he was born to serve.  Still, there was no change, no repentance–just regret.
 
In our lives, we serve a risen Savior. He stands ready to accept us as we are, and transform us into His image.  Still, however, as in Eli’s time, God will not be mocked. If we are going to walk and proclaim we are God’s chosen; then, our lives should reflect obedience and honor for God. If we, as His children, are an embarrassment to the Lord or an adversary of His plan–then, we can expect to suffer consequence for that behavior.  We know God loves us, but, He expects us to live and walk as those that honor Him–not disgrace Him. Help me , Lord to honor you with my life and my family–forgive my failure, and lead me in a way that glorifies you!
 
God Bless You

 Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal myself to your ancestor’s family when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? 28 I chose your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your ancestor’s family all the food offerings presented by the Israelites. 29 Why do you[e] scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’

30 “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. 31 The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age, 32 and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age. 33 Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.

34 “‘And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you—they will both die on the same day. 35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always. 36 Then everyone left in your family line will come and bow down before him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread and plead, “Appoint me to some priestly office so I can have food to eat

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This is an amazing Journey. I hope you will hear from the Lord, as you seek Him with your heart. Matthew 6:33

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