1 Samuel 12
Scripture1 Samuel 12:2222 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. ObservationThe Israelites had requested a king to rule over them and Samuel has resigned the government into the hands of Saul and is now speaking to the people. He takes time to remind them of the great things God has done for them and their lineage. Awakens them to their sin – in seeking a king other than their Heavenly Father – and reminds them of God’s power – calling to God for thunder. And, now, He is encouraging them with hopes that all should be well – not because of their works or because they’ve been so well behaved (because that was not the case) but because of God’s namesake and His desire to choose them. UnderstandingThere is such beauty and freedom in being called God’s children. The Israelites had seemingly tried everything. They changed locations, moved the tabernacle, changed governments, changed idols…yet, none of this was moving them any closer to what they wanted because they were missing the big picture – to love and serve God wholeheartedly! Had God chosen them for their good merits, it would follow that He would likely dismiss them for their bad merits. But, in choosing them for His name’s sake, He would neither reject them nor leave them. Furthermore, despite all this, He still took pleasure in calling them His and His desire remained that they would love Him and serve Him and Him alone.Life Application
Lord, thank you for first choosing us, for calling us yours! May we remember our namesake and honor it in our actions. May we remember that the circumstances around us have little consequence on who we truly are…so despite what the world says or what is popular or “normal,’ our call remains steady – to know you and make you known, to shine bright for you. Thank you for loving us first and help us, today, to love others as you have loved us.
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-Rei