And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the LORD and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the LORD. From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.
(1 Samuel 7:1-4 ESV)
The people of Israel had the ark back. But it was still only like having the shell of faith. Something was missing. They Lamented after the LORD - they were grieving His loss, because they were far from Him. God used Samuel to bring them back. The first order of business was to get rid of all rivals for their affection - to Love the LORD only. What a return to the foremost commandment! That is what God calls us to from the void in which we find ourselves - to Love Him not only first, but only among all the choices we have. What idols do we need to cast down to love and serve Him?
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