Pigheadedness and Punishment

Hello everybody! It is a beautiful, sunny day and God's love is clearly shining here in His world! The chapter for today's thought is 1 Samuel 12. Isn't it great to stop everything for just a few minutes and take time to read and learn from the inspired Scripture? This is Katrinka writing today. It is always an honor to be asked to add some thoughts to the study. May the Lord bless us as we try to gain something from today's reading that will encourage and strengthen us. Please open your Bible and first read the chapter thoughtfully.

Here I see an interesting insight into the character and actions of the great prophet Samuel. He challenges anyone in the nation to bring charges against his integrity or honesty. The people admit readily: "You have not taken anything from anyone's hand" (v. 4). That is exactly what should be able to be said about anyone teaching others the Word of God. To teach one thing and live another is a great sin in the sight of both God and man. Samuel is innocent and proceeds to plainly let the people of Israel know of their sins and rebellious ways against God. He is speaking so directly to the point that, after a graphic demonstration of thunder and lightening and rain which destroys their entire wheat crop, the people cry our in worry and fear: "Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die,..." (v. 19).

It is good for us to also be reminded that we all sin and make mistakes in God's sight. We do that because we are human. Otherwise it would not have been necessary for Jesus to come into this world and be sacrificed as the Lamb of God for our sins. When I read this chapter it jumps out at me that here was another example of how God is both a God of justice and of mercy. How blessed we are to have a Great God who shows mercy and patience with us!

"Do not be afraid, . . . 

For the sake of his great name

the Lord will not reject his people,

because the Lord was pleased

to make you his own" (vv. 21-22).

No matter how messed up we can make our lives, our Father in Heaven still wants us to be His. We can relate a little bit to this when we think of how we deal with our own children. We love them dearly, but there are times when we cannot ignore them when they flagrantly disobey and disrespect us. We have to give some measure of discipline. That can make us feel uncertain and guilty sometimes. We don't want to hurt the child, and yet, we know for sure that we must not just let that behavior go unpunished. That would only lead to more flagrant disobedience and less and less respect for authority. That actually brings great harm to a child! So it is with God our Father. It is because he loves us and wants a continuing relationship with us that at times He brings about serious repurcussions for our sinful actions. 

How deeply appreciative and grateful I am that God is patient with me even when I am strong-headed and stubborn! Looking back on life I think all of us can say that at times we definitely acted out of rebellion in order to get something we wanted. Later, after it is all said and done, we often say, "If I had only known...." I guess it will always be true that "hindsight is better than foresight." But that is not the end of the matter. Here in this chapter Samuel ends by sternly reminding the people:

 "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully

with all your heart; consider what great things

 he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, ... 

you will be swept away."(v. 24).

Dear merciful Father, thank you for sending Jesus to make it possible for us to be washed clean from the sins we have done and continue to do throughout our lives. We are really foolish in our thinking so many times! Please give us wisdom and an upright and honest heart before You. We love you, our Father, and we thank you, our Jesus!" In His name we pray this prayer, Amen.