Samuel was also a great teacher to the Jewish people, and to us even today. You see, sound advice has no expiration date:
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.” (1 Samuel 12:20 NKJV)
Do not fear -- those are comforting words, for I too, have “done all this wickedness”. The “evil, stiff-necked” Israelites had nothing on me (I say this to my shame)!
Father God, please help me to “not turn aside” from following you, my Lord! Show me what it is like to truly put all of me into worshiping you! I know there is so much more for me to discover if I walk more fully in your Light – led by your Spirit!
Samuel continues with more valuable advice in the next verse:
And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. (1 Samuel 12:21 NKJV)
Indeed, the things of this life leave me empty; why do I chase after them time and time again, knowing this? I feel the emptiness consume me as I drift, yet often find myself paddling further away from you, instead of coming home to Your Beautiful Shore!
You and you alone are my Profit and my Deliverer, Lord Jesus my King! As the stricken father asking the You to heal his possessed son screamed, so I do also:
I believe! Please help my unbelief!