Remember The Lord Your King
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Samuel 12 and Psalm 51 (NIV)
(Estella Lau, Vice-Chairperson, D&N)
READ:
1 Samuel 12:1-25 and Psalm 51 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Samuel in his farewell speech reminded the people of Israel of “all the righteous acts performed by the Lord” for them. The Lord had brought them out of Egypt to settle in the promised land, but they forgot the Lord their God, worshipped idols and were eventually defeated by the Philistines and Moabites. God sent judges to deliver the Israelites from their enemies so that they could live in safety. Instead of learning their lesson and being thankful, the Israelites rejected God as their King and wanted Samuel to appoint a king over them when they faced an imminent attack by the Ammonites, their rationale being “Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles” (1 Samuel 8:20).
APPLY:
It’s easy for me to shake my head and wag my finger at the Israelites’ forgetfulness and rejection of God. On further reflection and examination of my own life, I realise there have been many instances where I have forgotten and forsaken the Lord. I was particularly struck by how the Israelites prayed for their deliverance in 1 Samuel 12:10, “But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies and we will serve You.” Is my faith in God of a similar transactional nature, conditional upon Him fulfilling my wants? Is my faith one that is easily swayed when faced with imminent threat? Do I choose to stake my security in “kings of other nations” rather than on the King Himself?
DO:
“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) I give thanks to the Lord for His abundant grace and promise in these words that I am His child.I need to fear Him and serve Him faithfully with all my heart, remembering all the great things He has done for me. (1 Samuel 12:24)
PRAY:
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Amen.
(Psalm 51:1,10,12)
