1 Samuel 12:1-25
Tuesday, 22 September 2020
“But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” -1 Samuel 12:24[NLT]
This chapter brings out Samuel’s speech to Israel on bidding them farewell from his serving the nation as their Priest, Prophet and Judge. He testifies of his integrity and challenges the people to point out any area where he had deviated from the plan of God. As he chides them of their disobedience and urges them to future obedience, Samuel promises to intercede for them.
Samuel has modelled for us a life, faithfully serving the Lord from his young days till his old age. His life is a pointer to all men and especially people in leadership to exhibit godly character, integrity and prayerfulness. Leaders should leave for their successors a good example they can follow.
In his admonition, Samuel reminds Israel of:
God’s goodness through generations Samuel was reminding the great goodness of God to them and to their fathers when they walked in obedience (1 Samuel 12: 6). He was also warning them through Vs.9 that miseries and calamities their fathers brought upon themselves by forgetting God and followed the path of the Gentiles. They were given to their oppressors who in turn took them as slaves and captives. But when they repented God was compassionate and extended His mercy and delivered His people. He crowned them with victory and blessed their settlements.
God’s Choice of them for a greater purpose Though God is unhappy and frowns on His people when they disobey, Vs.22 reveals: “For the sake of His great name, the LORD will not reject His people.” God did not choose Israel, because they were a deserving tribe (Deuteronomy 7: 7, 8). It was God’s sovereign will to choose them to become a channel of blessing to all people, to all generation, to all tribes and to all nations through the Messiah ( Genesis 12:3 ). Because God chose them, He will never abandon them. But they would have to go through corrective measures that they be brought back to the right relationship with the Almighty. He is a covenant-keeping God and His purpose for Israel will be fulfilled.
We too as God’s chosen people through Christ, can draw lessons from our text today. Psalm 84:11 says: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.” Those who walk uprightly before the Lord are blessed through generations. Those who walk away from him are chastised so that they are guided back on track. We should be willing to accept the correction that comes from heaven with humility and maturity as it’s for our own spiritual benefit and purification for a greater mission that God entrusts us. The Psalmist says: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” (Psalm 119:67). A child of God learns from corrections and is matured to a better walk with the Lord.
Let us remind ourselves today: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1Peter 2:9) With this great privilege let us revere the Lord and serve Him faithfully, as we constantly remember the good things He does for us!
Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to lead a life in reverence of You and faithfully serve You. Amen