Stay the Course

“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. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own 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. 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 perish.” 1 Samuel 12:20-25

These words carry immense weight. A sobering proclamation from God’s last judge leveled at the sinful people of Israel. The moment could be compared to a defendant sitting on trial, waiting for the result of the jury. The verdict in this specific situation is both hopeful, yet massive. Yes, the people are guilty, evil, and have turned away from God. But the response from God may not have been what they expected. They directly heard the truth.

They offended God by turning away, yet that should not be the case any longer. They ought to serve God. Idols cannot save people. God was pleased to make them His people, and it is for His name He will not reject them. And He is even so kind as to teach them how to do the right thing. Persisting in a destructive path will have consequences, and this is merely the bottom line. Stay the course.

DO THIS TODAY: Think about what God has done for you and faithfully serve him on a heart level.