Morning — April 2 — 1 Samuel 7:3

Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” — 1 Samuel 7:3Samuel calls Israel to whole-hearted return — put away the strange gods, prepare your hearts, serve Him only. It's not that your resolve saves you, but genuine faith always turns from idols. The Lord searches every heart and knows every intention; He desires truth in the inward parts. Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, and He'll be a Father to you — not because you earned it, but because His grace makes you His own.