Encouraging
God's People
"For
the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake:
because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people." 1
Sam. 12:22
In
these times Israel, regularly in the news, is threatened. Some say
that we should not care, and that God is through with Israel. This
verse does not seem to bare out that idea. Israel should be
encouraged by their own scripture.
They
are here faced with the fact that God had every right to forsake
them. They had asked for a king. God considered this a rejection of
His own sovereignty. This asking for a king was considered a wicked
rejection of His reign :17. This was also deeming that God's
election of them, as a nation, was of no value :22. He had been
pleased to make them His people. This is not talking about the
church; it is rather talking about literal Israel. We can, however,
and we should apply it to much of today's church in that many have
rejected Him and rejected the doctrine of sovereign divine election
Let
Israel be encouraged that God has promised not to forsake her. He
will not forsake her because of His election of her. She did not
choose Him; He chose her :22. He will not forsake her for the honor
of His own Name. Even though she deserves his forsaking, He, for His
own Name's sake, will not forsake her. This is a real show of His
divine grace. Thank God He does extend that grace to us believers
also.
God's
servant was faithful to remind them. He, Samuel, reminded them of
their sin :17, 25. Verse 17 speaks of the wickedness of their asking
for a king in His stead. He threatens, in verse 25, their
consummation, if they continue in rejecting Him. Samuel then agreed
to pray for them :19, 23. In verse 19 they seek his prayers. In
verse 23 Samuel deems his failure to pray for them as sin on his
part. Lord give us servants of God today, who will pray for the
peace of Jerusalem and also for the wayward saints in our churches.
He would also remind them to serve the Lord :20, 21, 24. Verse 20
calls for repentance and serving the Lord. Verse 21 reminds of the
vanity of turning away from God. In verse 24 He encourages them to
serve the Lord because of the great grace He has bestowed on them.
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