1 Samuel 4:12-22

There is Fear

“Eli was sitting by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God.” (v13)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)

There is Judgment

“As soon as he mentioned the Ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel for forty years.” (v18)

“So the Lord was with Joshua. . . “ (Joshua 6:27)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

There is Despair

“she did not answer or pay attention. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, ‘The glory has departed from Israel!’” (v20-21)

“We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal glory beyond all comparison.”  (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)