One chapter today that holds great significance. I encourage you to read through 1 Samuel 12 and see how the Word lands on your heart today.
Although Samuel is not out of the picture yet, we come to his farewell address to Israel in 1 Samuel 12. Take a moment to think through the years Israel has spent with Samuel as priest and what the Lord has carried them through. We are talking about decades of ups and downs. Now, the people shift their eyes from Samuel to King Saul to lead them forward.
Samuel starts his address by asking Israel for validation that his service as priest has remained steadfast and clean (v.1-5). The people are in absolute agreement Samuel has been faithful. He has not led them away from the Lord, but always to the Lord. Why does Samuel seek affirmation? After all, he was dedicated in the temple at Shiloh to the Lord, not to Israel. Maybe Samuel seeks affirmation to use as his platform with hopes of Israel heeding all that he says because he speaks in truth even though it might sting.
Q: In your life, who is your Samuel? The one who teaches and admonishes in wisdom (Colossians 3:16). If no one comes to mind, why not?
In the next section, Samuel recounts for Israel the ups and downs they lived through with the Lord. You can read in verses 6-14 how God delivers Israel and forgives Israel even when they forget the Lord and serve other gods. The contrast that stands out to me is God remains faithful even when Israel is faithless. And we will see why in verse 22. While Samuel recaps the history of Israel, does he notice nods of agreement in the crowd or shameful remorse in their eyes for rebelling against the Lord? Initially I can read verse 9, “But Israel forgot the Lord their God” and respond with a self-righteous attitude of shame on them. However, when I take two seconds to think about my last month or year, I see areas of my life immune to God’s faithfulness. I expect God to provide this or that out of entitlement and not out of gratitude. And like Israel, when my job blows up or a friend dies, I doubt God is faithful in that moment. And I see a lot of empty gods to serve too.
The words “stand still” and “consider” that Samuel repeats in verses 7, 16, and 24 connected the farewell address for me. Samuel emphasizes the point to spend time recounting the Lord’s faithfulness, remember His power, and recognize His glory. The more Israel takes time to consider the Lord like Samuel encourages, they will not be enticed to serve other gods because their eyes will be undistracted on the Lord. The rhythm of stillness is something we have to fight for in our lives. The stillness allows me to ponder and consider things like, how is the Lord actively faithful in Richardson, TX and Africa? How is God faithful in my ordinary day at work and in bible translation and access to education and clean water for a community? From personal testimony, Samuel encourages Israel to practice stillness because that is what keeps Samuel close to the Lord all these years.
Finally, we reach the pinnacle verse for the book of 1 Samuel in my opinion and the truth that threads through the history of Israel. Here is what the Lord declares through Samuel in verse 22, “For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for Himself.” The Lord continues to make a way for Israel because He chose them as His people. Even though Israel asked for a king a few chapters back, Samuel reminds Israel “it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for Himself”. Yahweh has no regrets with Israel. AHHHHHHH. Did Samuel have tears streaming down his cheeks or hope in his voice when he expressed to Israel just how much the Lord loves them? I get excited. Tears form in my eyes. And it is because (spoiler alert) the Lord sends a new king over Israel named David who makes a way for a greater King Jesus that comes to rescue and redeem all people (including you and me) from our sin and rebellion so that we can be His people.
Samuel’s prayer for Israel is that they remember and serve the Lord only and do not return to empty gods that cannot profit or make good on promises like the Holy One of Israel. I would say that is a pretty good prayer to pray.
Q: Is your heart full of gratitude or disbelief when you read 1 Samuel 12:22? The Lord has rescued you for Himself and is pleased about it. I encourage you to practice stillness this week.
For the sake of His great name the Lord will not reject His people, because the Lord was pleased to make you His own.
1 Samuel 12:22
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