He Endured Despite Disappointments -- He "Effected Righteousness" - Conclusion

 However, the Philistines learned of this great gathering and saw an opportunity.  They sent their army to Mizpah to crush those worshippers of Jehovah.  The Israelites heard news of the approaching danger.  Terrified, they asked Samuel to pray for them.  He did so, offering a sacrifice as well.  During that sacred ceremony, the Philistine army came up against Mizpah, Jehovah then answered Samuel's prayer.  In effect, Jehovah let out a roar of indignation.  He  "caused it to thunder withe a loud noise on that day against the Philistines." - 1 SAMUEL 7:7-10. 

Now, should we imagine that those Philistines wee like little children who scurry in fear to hide behind their mothers when they hear a thunderclap? No, these were tought , battle-hardened soldiers.  This thunder, then, must have been unlike anything they knew.  Was it the sheer volume of this "loud noise"?   Did it come out of a clear sky, or did it echo bafflingly from the hillsides?  At any rate, it shook these Philistines to the core.  In utter confusion, they changed quickly from bullets to targets.  The men of Israel  poured forth from Mizpah, defeated them, and chased them for mil/es, to a place southwest of Jerusalem.  - 1 SAMUEL 7:11.

That battle was a turning point.  The Philistines kept retreating during the rest of Samuel's  days as judge. City after city returned to the control of God's people. - 1 SAMUEL 7:13, 14.

Many centuries later, the apostle Paul listed Samuel among the faithful judges and prophets who "effected righteousness." (Hebrews 11:32, 33)   Samuel did indeed help to bring about what was good and right in God's eyes.  He remained effective because he waited patiently on Jehovah, faithfully keeping at his work in spite of disappointments. He also showed an appreciative spirit.  After the victory at Mizpah, Samuel had a monument erected to commemorate the way that Jehovah had helped his people. - 1 SAMUEL 7:12.

Do you want to  'effect righteousness'? If so, you do well to learn from Samuel's patience and his humble, appreciative spirit. (1 Peter 5:6) Who of us does not need those qualities? It was good for Samuel to acquire and display such traits when relatively young, for he faced deeper disappointments in his later years. 

Next time: He Endured Despite Disappointments - "Your Own Sons Have Not Walked in Your Ways" 

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