 Our word for today comes from 1 Samuel 7. Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines. Samuel lays out the path for the restoration of their freedom and their peace. Return to the Lord, put away the idols, direct your hearts to the Lord, and serve the Lord only.