1 Samuel 12:1-25
Key Verse: “Samuel replied, ‘Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the Lord. Instead worship the Lord with all your heart. Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless. The Lord will not abandon his people, because of his great name and because he has determined to make you his own people” (1 Samuel 12:20-22, CSB)
The people had sinned greatly against God by rejecting Him and demanding instead an earthly king. As the prophet Samuel addressed the people publicly for the final time, he called them to repentance. He called them to turn away from all that is worthless and fruitless, and to worship God again with all their hearts. How was this even possible? How could it be that that God would accept them again, despite their disobedience? Ultimately, it was because of God’s faithfulness. Because God had determined to make them His people, He would not abandon His own even though they had turned from Him. God demonstrated His glory and the greatness of His name by remaining faithful to them, even though they had been unfaithful to God.
In the same way, when we have sinned and turned our back on God, God demonstrates His greatness through His faithfulness. While our sin deeply grieves God, it doesn’t change the reality of His faithful love and grace toward us. The temptation in these sinful moments is to turn completely away from Him and believe the lie that we are too far gone. Yet the truth is that God is always faithful even when we are not. He remains true even when we have turned our backs on Him and run after what is worthless and fruitless. If we are in Christ today, He has made us His own. Because we have been bought by the precious blood of His Son Jesus Christ, we belong to Him. Because God has determined to make us His own, His faithfulness cannot be thwarted even by our sinful and stupid choices. God remains faithful. As a result, in those moments of disobedience, we can turn again to the Lord and find One who is always true to His promises and full of grace.
Prayer: Father, thank you that you have not abandoned me, even though I so often turn my back on you. Thank you for your amazing grace and your faithful love. Thank you that you have made me one of your own through the work of your Son Jesus Christ on the Cross. Today, help me not to pursue the worthless and fruitless things of this world. Instead, help me by your Spirit to worship you with all my heart. May I trust in your faithful love at all times, and may your name be glorified through me. Amen.
