Samuel still carries a lot of weight with the people. We see clearly he is respected as well. He has done nothing overtly sinful for which the people seek revenge or retribution. Do you have someone in your life that you look up to and respect? I know we are all sinful, but there are people who don’t have “visible” sins that adversely affect other people. Samuel was this and so much more.
Samuel is going to take this opportunity to point out a couple things to the people, aside from his good reputation. That is, the importance of remembering what God has done and being faithful followers. You can sum up what Samuel impressed upon the people that day in those two things.
This is not the first time we’ve seen a leader speak out about God’s majesty and might. What may have surprised the people is that asking for a king hurt God and was considered sinful. It was an outright rejection of the king they already had. God. I don’t suppose they thought of God t0 as their king. God is so much more than that!
Remembering their history, and hearing it over and over, was important. They didn’t have textbooks like we do today. Even so, our textbooks record history that happened, taken at the word of those who passed down the tradition. This is particularly true about our faith history recorded in the Bible. It is good for us to remember as well.
The same God who rescued the Israelites and gave them the king they were so set on having–loves you and me. All these years later. God is still in the business of loving and protecting. That is God’s focus for eternity. Love.
All God wants from his people, then and now, is for us to love him back. To worship and adore, to bow down before Him! That’s it. Whatever else we do in a day is up to us. But we just need to do that one thing for God. Love him back.
What that looks like will vary from person to person I suspect. That’s okay. God has all sorts of different kinds of love coming back at him that way. Love is still love. We can show him this love by spending time in his word, talking to him in prayer, and letting his light reflect through us with other people.
Again, the freedom God gives allows us to do whatever we want in this beautiful life. I know I’ve wasted a lot of years not showing God how much I love him. I have some catching up to do. But then again, I don’t think God keeps score. Jesus redeemed us from that.
Take some time today to reflect on this passage and what Samuel’s words speak to your heart.
Let’s pray …
Lord, I love you. A lot. Forgive me for not showing you this as much as I would like. For all the years I was astray, you loved me back to you, and, for that, I will be grateful forever. May my days on this earth be a blessing to you and to those I encounter. Shine through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
