1 Samuel 7:13

The hand of the Lord. The same providential incident may bring both favor and disfavor; favor to those who surrender to the guiding hand of the Lord and disfavor to those who choose to serve self. The same storm brought victory to the helpless Israelites and defeat to the Philistines, who trusted in the strength of false gods and the prowess of their own arms. The same pillar of God’s presence that shed light to the armies of the Lord wrapped the Egyptian hosts in darkness. Perhaps the Philistines concluded that Baal, the storm god (see p. 40), was now fighting against them and for the armies of Israel. But the Israelites, because of their renewed relation to God, could take advantage of the traditional heathen viewpoint and follow up to the utmost the victory over the enemy.

So it was then; so it is today. Man comes to the place where he recognizes that his life is most unsatisfactory. He finds himself attached to his idols, whatever they may be. He senses the uselessness of past habits cultivated, past motives cherished, past desires gratified. He is attracted to the fellowship he sees others enjoying with God, such as Israel saw in Samuel during those 20 years. He renounces his past life, and confesses his inability to transform himself by his own efforts. He then surrenders to the Holy Spirit and finds created within himself a self-control, an acceptance of such spiritual helps as God wisely gives to fit him for a higher life than he has yet known. Past failures thus become steppingstones. Valleys of Achor become doors of hope (Hosea 2:15).