Come Let Us Go to Gilgal, and Renew
We need to regularly renew our loyalty and devotion to Jesus, making Him King in our lives and consecrating ourselves to Him.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of renewing our commitment to Jesus as our King, drawing parallels from the Israelites' journey to Gilgal after Saul's victory. He highlights that just as the Israelites rolled away the reproach of uncircumcision at Gilgal, we too must periodically reaffirm our loyalty and devotion to Christ, especially when our enthusiasm wanes. Meyer encourages believers to revisit their dedication, reflect on their spiritual journey, and bring every aspect of their lives under Christ's lordship. The act of renewal is not a one-time event but a continual process of recommitting ourselves to God, symbolized by the significant moments at Gilgal. Ultimately, he reminds us that true blessings flow where Christ reigns.
Text
Come let us go to Gilgal, and renew
the Kingdom there. 1 Sam. xi. 14.
IT is good to have days and occasions for renewing the kingdom. Already Saul had been anointed king. It was a recognised matter that he should inaugurate the days of the kings, as distinguished from those of the judges. But his great victory at Jabesh‑Gilead seems to have wrought the enthusiasm of the people to the highest pitch, and to have presented a great opportunity for renewing the kingdom. They went to Gilgal to do this, because there, on the first entrance into Canaan, Israel had rolled away the reproach of uncircumcision, which symbolised their lack of separation.
Jesus is our King. The Father hath anointed Him, and set Him on his holy hill; and we have gladly assented to the appointment, and made Him King. But sometimes our sense of loyalty and devotion wanes. Insensibly we drift from our strenuous endeavour to act always as his devoted subjects. Therefore we need, from time to time, to renew the kingdom, and reverently make Him King before the Lord.
Go over the old solemn form of dedication; turn to the yellow leaves of the diary; bring under his sceptre any new provinces of influence that have been acquired; tell Him how glad and thankful you are to live only for Him. Let this be done at Gilgal, the place of circumcision and separation, with the Jordan of death flowing behind, and the Land of Promise beckoning in front. There is a sense in which we can consecrate ourselves only once; but we can renew our vows often.
"Blessings abound where'er He reigns;
The prisoner leaps to burst his chains;
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blest"
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Renewing the Kingdom
- The Significance of Gilgal
- Renewing Our Vows
- Consecrating ourselves to God
- Making Jesus King in our lives
- The process of renewing our loyalty and devotion
Key Quotes
“Blessings abound where'er He reigns;” — F.B. Meyer
“The prisoner leaps to burst his chains;” — F.B. Meyer
“The weary find eternal rest,” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to renew your commitment to Jesus and His kingdom.
- Go through the old solemn form of dedication and express your gratitude and devotion to Him.
- Bring new areas of influence under God's sceptre and consecrate yourself to Him.