So have you ever had one of those days when you’re walking through a remote village in Africa and a local is wearing a Washington Redskins Jacket? Well, it could happen!

I Samuel 12

A good ending to a bad story!

I like the way this chapter ends. Even though the people sought a king outside of God’s will and from wrong motives, Samuel led them right back to the “center of God’s will.” The people realized their selfish motives and asked Samuel to pray for them. V20 says, “Samuel said to the people, DO NOT FEAR…” This is great. Regardless of my decisions of the past, good or bad, DO NOT FEAR. Sure, there are natural repercussions of sin and bad decisions, but don’t fear because your “relationship” with God is intimate, loving and eternal. Samuel goes on, “do not fear, you have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.” Regardless of our present situation, move immediately into the center of God’s will by turning to the Lord and following Him with all your heart.  Samuel continues, “you must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or deliver, because they are futile. For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.”  Wow, I am His. That is really what it comes down to. Even when I wander, He provides a clear and imminent path for me to return to Him. TURN (away from my sin and toward God’s face) and FOLLOW Him with all my heart.

Serve Him in truth AND with all of your heart!

Samuel closes with this; “only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.” Lord, teach me all about following you with all my heart. Praise You for Your kindness and love AND that You have made me Yours – a blessing of mammoth proportions. Thank You for the clear and imminent path to be within the cleft of your Rock, within your truth and blessings. May I follow you always with all my heart.