PODCAST
Communal Repentance
February 24th, 2018
1 Samuel 7:1-12
Individual repentance is powerful, but communal repentance moves God on behalf of the nations.
In 1 Samuel 7, the prophet called on the Israelites to forsake sin, turn away from idols, and come to repentance before God. They responded in obedience; they confessed their sin, and God saved them from the power of the Philistines. Communal repentance is only possible when God moves. They repented, God forgave them, and He saved the community.
However, one individual can also move God on behalf of the community. This was the case with Samuel, who made an offering that God found pleasing. Samuel’s offering led to deliverance for the people of God.
Communal repentance is still necessary in these times of great social injustices done against the defenseless. Our task is to pray for God to bring the nations to repentance. God will respond. Communal repentance has the power to change the world.
Author: Samantha Chambo
February 24th, 2018 at 7:34 am
I notice that the online version is shorter than the print version.