“The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.” 20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” 1 Samuel 12.19-25
This is the prophet Samuel’s charge to the people. They seem to be returning to the Lord, and he is giving them a “charge”—a word of instruction and encouragement about how to live and follow the Lord.
Here are some highlights of what he says to the people: “Pray to the Lord… do not be afraid… do not turn away after idols… serve the Lord.” Then he tells them what God will do: “The Lord will not reject His people.” Finally, he shares what Samuel himself will do: “I will pray for you… I will teach you.”
Once again, if you do this, God will do that. The cause-and-effect relationship with the Lord is clear. Although He will always love and care for His people, once they turn to sin, both they and their king will die. This death is not only physical but also a spiritual separation from God, resulting from choosing sin over holiness.
Samuel’s charge is timeless. Each and every day, in every moment and minute, we have the choice to make. Sometimes temptation is so strong that we stray, but the consequence of that sin is death. It may seem like a good and easy choice in the moment because it satisfies the flesh, but in the end, death will come.
Samuel’s charge actually brings life. If the people obey, love, and serve God, and turn from sin, He will bless their nation.
We, too, are in a covenant relationship with God. He asks us to love, serve, and obey His Word. He calls us to trust Jesus for our salvation and to commit our ways to His care. The path is not easy; turning from temptation is often difficult, but the rewards are great. The way of the Lord brings life, while the way of sin leads to death.
Will you choose life today?
“O Lord God, You are good and faithful. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for the power of the cross and the gift of the Spirit. Help us to live according to Your Spirit, Your ways, and Your Word. I love You, Lord, and praise Your name. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.