A Study in Repentance

Relationship is at the heart of human life. When it is based on agreement, and that is broken, it causes great pain. Reconciliation can only take place if matters are put right - if we repent. That is what we find in 1 Samuel 7. The people were sobered by defeat at the hands of enemies, and the loss of their national treasure - the ark of God. At this point the reader detects a change of heart that they would not have seen. When Samuel called them to repent he was pushing at an open door. He pointed out the need to be whole hearted - for repentance is a complete turnaround. He gave them directions - for repentance involves changing our ways. This is echoed in the New Testament - 'Put off the old man with his deeds ... and put on the new ...' (Ephesians 4:22-24). Then he gave the promise that the LORD would deliver them - he keeps his covenant whether we do or not. When Samuel gathered the people it reminds us that repentance is a social matter as well as personal; the Day of Pentecost had a social aspect. Their activity was threefold - prayer; fasting and confession of sin; and Samuel acting as judge (we should put matters right with each other as well as with God - Mt. 5:23-24). Doing the right thing does not guarantee safety, and the Philistines prepared to attack. A guilty conscience looks for someone to pray to God on our behalf, and that is what happened. No matter how great our sin we can ask the Mediator to intercede for us. The LORD intervened, using the power of nature to rout the enemy; the people then pursued them. Consolidation followed. A memorial was built, territory was regained, and justice was administered. God keeps his covenant and calls us to return.