Lamenting after the LORD... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
1 Samuel 7:2-3

Lamenting after the LORD. That clearly shows that God's nearness and joy in Him were felt no longer. That was the regrettable state of the nation of Israel at that time. They were God's people and had every reason to be grateful and joyful. But there was no joy in their hearts. What was the cause? There were unrevealed hindrances to God's blessing.
For a long time they had not troubled about the ark of the covenant, that symbol of God's presence in their midst. In addition, idolatry had crept in: they no longer served exclusively the one true God. Now God will not share His honour with idols. So mere lamenting would not help. For that reason, Samuel demanded that the people should return to the LORD with all their hearts and serve Him alone.
The message was clear enough. They had not been able to deceive God. He knew of their divided hearts. And if there is no joy in the heart, He has long since known the reason.
If joy is lacking in our hearts, we need to examine our relationship to God. He knew of their divided hearts. And if there is no joy in the heart, He has long since known the reason.
If joy is lacking in our hearts, we need to examine our relationship to God. The Bible is God's yardstick, by which we have to assess our behaviour. Then we must obey God. Returning with all our hearts means recognising our wrong deeds, words and thoughts and admitting them before God. Hiding them is no answer. God knows us thoroughly. Neither religion nor tradition leads to true joy. What is needed is an urgent, sincere, personal turning to Him.
Today's reading: 1 Kings 8:37-66