Daily Reading // 1 Samuel 11-15
(Find the daily reading on Pastor Jim’s Blog)
https://jholm5.wixsite.com/pastor-jim-blog
S // SCRIPTURE
Select a verse from today’s reading
1 Samuel 12:20 (NKJV) Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.
O // OBSERVATION
Why did this verse get your attention? Make a simple observation from the text
This speech of Samuel took place after a victory. It was the first victory they had under their new king, King Saul. It would be easy to interpret that victory as God’s affirmation of their new king.
Samuel reminded them of their disobedience in wanting a king at all. While they were patting each other on the back, saying “Boy we sure made a good move in having Saul as our king”, Samuel brought another perspective.
Needing a king was only part of their disobedience.
A // APPLICATION
How can I apply this to my life today?
One word stuck out to me in Samuel’s speech. One very small three letter word: ‘yet’.
Words of correction from the Lord are always followed by ‘yet’. You have turned away from the Lord, yet there is still a way back.
You have rejected God and done your own thing, yet there is still an opportunity for obedience.
No matter what I have done in my life there is still a ‘yet’. Nothing in my past can hold up against the ‘yet’ of God.
P // PRAYER
Express yourself in prayer
Father, You are so gracious and forgiving. You lead me from mistakes of the past into hope for the future - yet. Amen.