SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 12
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”[1 Samuel 12:24-25] Having a king was not the problem; God’s eventual plan was to give them a king. But their request reveals a lack of confidence in God as their King. Samuel makes it clear that “confidence in princes” [Psalm 146:3] will disappoint. The key is to submit to God and do what is good. Yet though their request was not good, He meets them in their weakness, forgives them, and moves on. It was lack of God-confidence to ask for a king, but God will use this king to help them.

To me, this passage shows the patient love of God. He forgives us when we sin, helps us through the consequences, and continues to call us to repent (change). Sure our mistakes have messed things up for us, but He does not abandon us to them. He steps in to forgive and help. Think of how Jesus dealt with the woman caught in adultery: Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?””No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” [John 8:10-11]. She was guilty, it was in part her choices that brought her to this place. But the Lord does not delight in watching us suffer for our mistakes; He doesn’t condemn but He does point out our sins and mistakes, and urges us to change, to leave our sinful ways. He could just as well have said to her what Samuel said to Israel: Yet if you persist in doing evil… you will be swept away.”

This is our deepest issue, our deepest need. We need to be right with God, to be centered in His love and His will. As long as we forget God, persist in doing evil, live independently and selfishly, we will be swept away. God doesn’t enjoy this, and He is prepared to forgive us again and again and help us break free from this downward spiral – but we must make changes. What good is it if God washes off the muck of sin, then we dive right back in the pool of mud. God is patient, God is merciful, but if we don’t change our ways, He will need to show us the consequences.

The ongoing theme of the bible is our need to repent, trust and obey God. God is patient and forgiving, but we must respond to His greatness and mercy with our own commitment to love and serve Him. Through Jesus He says, Neither do I condemn you… Go now and leave your life of sin.

PRAYER:
Lord, You are extremely patient and forgiving. Help me not abuse Your grace, but to strive, with Your help, to change!