SCRIPTURE: 1 SAMUEL 12
BIBLE VERSE:
“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 12:24-25)
SAMUEL’S FAREWELL SPEECH (vs. 1-25)
Samuel testified to the people that he had not cheated, oppressed them of accepted any bribes. The people affirmed that they had not found anything wrong done by Samuel with the Lord as witness. Then he gave this speech: God appointed Moses and Aaron to bring your forefathers out of Egypt and settled in Canaan. But they forget the Lord so He sent the enemies – Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, the Philistines, the king of Moab- to defeat them. When they cried out to the Lord, confessed their sins. The Lord sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel to deliver you from the hands of the enemies. But the the king of Ammonite Nahash came to attack you you forsook the Lord and wanted a king to rule over you. Now here is the king you have chosen and asked you. If you and the king fear the Lord and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, good. But if you and the king do not obey the Lord and rebel against his commands, His hand will be against as it was against your forefathers. (vs. 14-15).
To let the people know that they did an evil thing in the yes of the Lord for asking a king, Samuel called upon the Lord to send thunder and rain. When the people saw it, they were perplexed. They asked Samuel to pray for them so that they will not die. But Samuel assured them and told them not to be afraid because for the sake of His great name, He will not reject His people. But they have to turn away from the useless idols and serve the Lord alone. If they persist in doing evil, they and their king will be swept away. And he assure the people that he will continue to pray for them.
THOUGHTS:
The Israel’s history witnessed that the hand of the Lord was with them when they obeyed but it was against them when they rebelled. This is also true now. The secret of success is to fear the Lord, serve and obey Him by following His commands.
Samuel reviewed his own ministry and reminded the people that he had been faithful to them and to the Lord. Then he reviewed the history of the nation and led them to see that they had greatly sinned against the Lord by asking for a king. He called for thunder and rain to show the people his own faith and the power of God. The sudden storm brought fear to the people. They admitted their sins and Samuel reassured them of God’s grace. Only faithfulness and obedience to the Lord can assure us of God’s blessings.
Samuel reminded the people to take time to consider what great things God had done for them. Let us also take time to focus our attention upon God’s goodness and strengthen our faith. Remember what great things God has done for you and move on with gratitude.