Turning Back to the Presence of God

Read 1 Samuel 7:1-17

[a reflection on pouring out water] Fill a bucket of water. Give people a chance to feel the weight of it. What could that water be used for? What might a more agricultural society think of when they have a bucket of water? Did it take much effort to get? How much effort would it have taken to get if you didn’t have plumbing? The water in the bucket has both value and effort attached. Take a moment to think about those things that have weight in your life, things that you need to carry, things that you value but take effort. Now take the bucket outside and pour it out in the presence of God. The weight is gone, the responsibility turned over, the value offered to God. Take a moment to give thanks.

After being taken to battle, captured by the Philistines and then returned through a series of miracles, the ark of the Lord remained at the house of Abinadab for 20 years, until David came to bring it to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6).

• Why didn’t bringing the ark of the Lord into battle bring them victory?
• What does it tell us about God that He would allow the symbol of His presence to be captured by enemies?
• We don’t have an ark, but what other ways do we try to influence or control God’s favour in our lives?
• What is the difference between living to please God, and trying to make him do what we want? What is the connection here to the pouring out of water?

Samuel continued to travel to judge Israel, but returned to his hometown regularly – because he knew that more than just his hometown mattered. In Mark 1:35-39, Jesus chooses to move on from Capernaum, because more than that one town needed him.

• Where might you need to reach beyond your home or your bubble to bring the hope of Jesus to others?