Daily Devotional

I found myself in need recently.  I was awake in bed for 3 hours.  I finally got up at 4 am, quietly so as not to awaken Lynn.  I could not do my normal read the Bible and pray pattern.  I was in too much need.  It was my own fault.  I had let things rule over me.  What were they?  I had not been faithful to things God had taught me.  What were those?  It took time.  I discovered 5 stress areas that I had allowed to reign over me.  I took hold of 7 Scripture passages, keys I had known but had not truly applied of late, and had let slip from power.  More on that later.

Israel had asked for a king.  It seemed innocent enough.  But having forgotten things God said, they put him in the Lord’s place.  They finally went to Samuel in repentance.  He gave them good counsel.

1 Samuel 12:20–2 - "And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty." (ESV)

Many turn away from God in fear in view of their sins.  Samuel said, don’t fear!  You have done evil.  But don’t turn aside from following the Lord.  Rather, serve Him with all your heart!  Do not turn aside after empty things.  What did Samuel know?

1 Samuel 12:22 - "For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself." (ESV)

Why could Samuel speak with such confidence?  Will God still receive those who have failed Him?  Samuel knew some things about the Lord.  Take these to heart yourself today!  Where is our security?  It is bound up in the following two truths about God, and about His people.

One, the Lord will not forsake His people.  Take heart in that.  Why won’t He?  Because of His great name’s sake!  It never was based on our perfection.  His name keeps us.  Two, it pleased the Lord to make you one of His people!  He knew what we were like.  It pleased Him to take us imperfect people.  He is still pleased with His choice of you!  Rest in that!  Have faith in Him!

Having been thus reconciled, what do we do?  Fear the Lord, and serve Him faithfully with all your heart!  Think about the great things He has done.  In the world.  In and for you!

Having arisen at 4 am, I discovered 5 things I was letting rule over me.  I did not have peace.  I could not rest.  I was sure all would end in failure.  These 5 I deeply and sincerely turned over to Christ.  What a relief!

Then I took the truth from 7 Scripture passages, all of which I had known and applied for years.  How does it slip away?  These I wrote again in my heart, and on paper.  Like Nebuchadnezzar, my sanity returned to me (Daniel 4:34), and I was restored, with Jesus reigning in me and the Spirit working in power through me.

Consider I Samuel 12, and 12 directives from his counsel.  Take time with that chapter, and these words!
1. Ask for help.  Be prayed for.
2. Humble yourself before God, and before man.
3. Do not be afraid.
4. Serve the Lord, and do not turn away.
5. Do not turn aside after empty things, which cannot profit or deliver.
6. Fear the Lord.
7. Serve Him faithfully with all your heart.
8. He will not forsake His people.
9. It is for His name’s sake He will patiently work with us.
10. Be instructed by God’s leaders.
11. Remember what great things God has done, generally, and for you!
12. There is a good and right way.  Wickedness will lead to destruction.

Review these 7 passages, which I am sure you know.  How do these things slip away from us?

• Proverbs 3:5–6
• Psalm 37:5–6
• John 14:27
• Psalm 40:1–3
• Psalm 25:12–13
• Psalm 138:8
• John 15:11

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.