Saturday, October 17, 2015

God's Will is Made Clear

     Here is a common theme that is stated throughout the Bible. It is clearly written where it cannot be misunderstood. 1 Samuel 12:14,15 "If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. 15But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king." Doesn't these two verses make it easy to understand, what God wants from us? He wants from us and from those who rule over us, our obedience and not our rebellion. In verse 14 it said that if we and the people who have authority over us obey God, it will be well for us. However, in verse 15 it said if we do not obey the voice of God and rebel against his word, the LORD we be against us. I could not explain the will of God more simply than that.
     I believe that those two verses 14 and 15 in 1 Samuel chapter 12 could summarize a lot of sermons and writings about God. They tell us exactly without any parables to what God wants us to do and what will happen if we do not. It is put in a very basic way that anybody can understand.
     The prophet Samuel goes on to tell the people in verse 20 that they have done evil against the LORD but yet there is still hope for them if they would just turn around and serve God with their whole heart. He tells them in verse 22 that the LORD will not forsake them and that God wants them to be his people.
     Even though the people had committed sins against God, Samuel told them in verse 23 that he would continue to pray for them. 1 Samuel 12:23 "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way." Samuel did not let the people's evil ways discourage him from carrying out his duties as their prophet, to him that would have been a sin against the LORD.
     Samuel instructed the people in what to do, in first Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." But he also goes on to warn them what would happen if they do not in verse 25 "But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king." Again in simple language, he said, if you and those who rule over you do evil things, God will punish you both. Samuel is saying that the national authority with all of their might cannot not save you or themselves from the judgement of God.
     First Samuel chapter 12 verses 14 and 15 states things so simply, that you do not need hours of Bible study to understand them. The verses simply say to us, to respect, serve and obey God.They also say do not rebel against his words but accept them and do them and you will do well. However, the verses said if you do not obey the voice of God and rebel against his commandments, the LORD will be against you. Samuel even made it clear that if those who rule over us, do evil things, God will punish them, as well. God wants us to know his will and I think he made it very clear to us in first Samuel chapter 12 verses 14 and 15.                                                                                                                                            (ESV)
   
     

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