Bible reading: 1Samuel 7:1-14
Let me share with you five things that are required to put a stop to plagues make change happen in your life.
1Samuel 7:1-2, “So the men of Kiriath-jearim came to get the Ark of the LORD. They took it to the hillside home of Abinadab and ordained Eleazar, his son, to be in charge of it. [2]The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a long time–twenty years in all. During that time, all Israel mourned because it seemed that the LORD had abandoned them.”
For twenty years after the death of Eli, Israel suffered oppression in the hands of the Philistines, even though the Ark of the Covenant had been returned to Israel. The Bible says Israel mourned because it seemed that the Lord had abandoned them. How were they going to come out of this oppression and frustration? Here are the keys:
5 Keys To Deliverance And Full Restoration
1. Ministry of a Prophet. They had a prophet to guide them. They were oppressed and they mourned until Samuel arose to speak into their lives. God has ordained me a prophet in this Ministry to speak into your life and destiny and to deliver you from all oppressions of the enemy. “And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.” (Hosea 12:13). God has sent me to deliver and preserve you and your fortunes. Why do you need a prophet today? There are three reasons: some of you still lack knowledge, faith and courage. If we leave you, you will remain like this.
2. Full repentance. 1Samuel 7:3-4, “Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the LORD, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the LORD; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” [4] So the Israelites destroyed their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the LORD.” Get rid of every idol or whatever has taken the place of God in your heart. Get rid of every sin and be determined to obey the Lord. Partial repentance is of no use. 1Samuel 7:6, “So they gathered there and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the LORD. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the LORD.”
3. Fasting. 1Samuel 7:6b, “…They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the LORD.”
4. Sacrifice. 1Samuel 7:9a, “So Samuel took a young lamb and offered it to the LORD as a whole burnt offering. Every plague answers to sacrifice! Sacrifices are game-changers in spiritual warfare. A sacrifice is not your usual offering: it is huge and painful! It is something that makes you shake when you let go of it therefore it requires a lot of courage to make. A widow gave her last meal to a prophet with the hope of surviving the remaining period of famine; she and her son did. Abraham was asked to offer his precious son Isaac to God as a sacrifice; he obliged. David offered a costly sacrifice to God and the plague that was killing the people ceased immediately! Jesus offered his life on the altar of the Cross of Calvary. It takes sacrifice to be satisfied.
(To be continued…)
