Focusing Leaders

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.” So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the LORD.  Then Samuel told them, “Gather all of Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.”

There is no qualification for serving God that is more important than purity. It goes to the heart of following him, which is undivided devotion. It comes before knowledge or gifting or anything else, and creates the foundation that God builds upon.

Here Samuel follows up on a spiritual movement with a leadership act, calling the people to take a further step. This puts them in a position to see God work in more ways in the following verses.

Father, show me any corners of my heart and mind that are not cleaned and yielded to you. I want to follow you without any reservations. Please have your way with me today and change me to be more like you.