SCRIPTURE:
“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.”
1 Samuel 12:20
OBSERVATION:
Samuel speaks to a people who are suddenly aware of their failure. They asked for a king when God was already the one and only true King. And in that moment of realization, fear naturally sets in. But Samuel’s response isn’t condemnation, it’s encouragement. He acknowledges their sin but follows it immediately with a call not to run, not to hide, but to dig deep and hold your ground. God doesn’t push away when we mess up. He calls deeper into relationship. What hits me even more is later in the chapter, where Samuel reminds them that God will not abandon His people for His name’s sake. His faithfulness isn't dependent on our performance, it’s anchored in His own character. That’s love. That’s grace.
APPLICATION:
My first instinct when I sin is to shrink back, to feel unworthy of God's love. Shame tells me to run, to escape, to withdraw. But Samuel’s words challenge that. He says, “don’t turn away.” Instead, hold my ground. Serve God with even more passion, not because I need to earn His love, but because I already have it. God doesn’t leave me because I’ve wandered and run away. He stays because He’s faithful, even when I’m not. His holiness overcomes my carelessness, and His love redefines my worth. So today I’m reminded:
- When I feel lost, instead of withdrawing, I need to serve Him with more fervor, more purpose, and more passion.
- And I do that not to earn more, but to draw closer. He wants my heart, not my perfection.
- Mai hilahila, no shame. Only one perfect man has ever walked this earth, and that man happens to the King of all kings.
PRAYER:
Help me, Jesus. I long to draw close to You. Save me from the trap of shame, from the lie that I need to fix myself before I can come to You. Teach me to respond to failure not with fear, but with a greater hunger for Your presence. You chose me, so help me choose You daily. Amen
