“But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”
1 Samuel 12:24
Before diving into today’s verse, let’s look at the historical context. Samuel is addressing the Israelites as they have come to him, begging for a new King. Though Samuel has tried to reason with the Israelites, they won’t listen and insist of having a king. When Samuel turns to God about the matter, the Lord instructs Samuel to give the people what they want, but to strictly warn them that the king will rule over them, imprisoning them. He goes on to warn the Israelites that the time will come when they return to God crying out for his mercy to be delivered from the hands of the King they once so badly wanted. He warns them that if they do not obey the Lord, and if they rebel against his commands, the Lord will be against them.
The chapter ends with the verse we began with. Samuel instructs the Israelites to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, to fear God’s wrath, and to remember what the Lord has done for them.
We serve the Lord out of gratitude for the things he has done for us. We serve the Lord because he first loved us and has sent his Only Son to die a cruel death upon the cross that he did not deserve, so that we could live with him again. We serve the Lord because he has been so good to us, His people!
If you were to go through every book of the Bible, you would the see the pages marked with acts of God’s goodness. We can remember in Exodus how God did not forsake the Israelites, but delivered them from the Egyptians. We can read and remember how God gave Abraham a son even in old age, and made his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. We can read and remember how the Lord delivered Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego from the fiery furnace. We can read and remember how God sent Jesus to offer salvation to the Gentiles, despite them not being “the chosen people.” Lastly and the climax of our Christianity, we can read and remember daily the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, shedding his innocent blood to atone for our sins.
Take some time to reflect on how you fear God, serve him, and remember what he has done for you daily. Consider that he is your Master, and you are his servant. Know the Lord, and respect him out of reverence. Reflect upon what God has done in your life or the life of your family. Look at the interpositions of mercy, grace, and forgiveness the Father has extended to you-and remember Him! Has he not provided for you daily? In a world where we get caught up on all the things that go wrong, take time to remember just how good the Lord has been to you.
Prayer:
“Father, please let all that I do be out of respect for you, aiming to serve you in all things, words, and actions. Lord help me to reflect upon my life and the countless ways you have made yourself known to me. Reveal yourself to me, and help me to hold on to, remember all that you have done for me and my family. Forgive me when I fail you, and help me to be better tomorrow than I am today.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.”
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