Good Morning Friends,
“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.” (1 Samuel 12:23)
Samuel was disappointed with the people of Israel. They had asked for a king, instead of being content to continue just to follow the Lord. Samuel had advised against it and told the people the danger of having a king. Still the people did not change their minds and continued to ask for a king. God had Samuel give in to this request of the people and anoint Saul as king of Israel. Now Samuel stands before the people again to warn them of the danger of a king and the danger of turning away from the Lord.
Samuel opens up his life to the people of Israel and invites them to bring witness against him for anything wrong he has done among them. They offer no testimony of Samuel’s sins, instead they affirm that he has led them and served them in righteousness.
Now at the end of this speech, his farewell speech to the nation, the people ask Samuel to serve them by praying for them. Samuel answers with the above response – he would not sin against the Lord by failing to pray for them.
He was disappointed with them. He was worried for them. But he would not turn his back on them. He loved them and despite their problems, he wanted to see God’s best for them.
Samuel was a good man and provides a good example for us. People around us, our family and friends, will disappoint us. We’ll see evidence in their lives at times of directions they are heading that are dangerous and despite our warnings they will continue down that path. How will we respond? Will we stand idly by waiting to be able to say “I told you so!”? Will we be pleased to see them reap the harvest they deserve by going down a dangerous path? Or, like Samuel, will we stand by supporting them in prayer, asking for God’s grace, mercy and tender care for them?
His, by Grace,
Steve
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