There Is Hope … by Samantha Mears

Today’s Passage – 1 Samuel 12 – 14 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mathew 1 – 2; Psalms 1 – 5; Proverbs 1

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Proverbs 27:15

Read the “0401 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain. 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. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great [things] he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” (1 Samuel 12:20-25)

Background – Israel messed up, they had gotten to a place where they forgot what God had done for them. Israel became discontent and unthankful. The people doubted what God was doing, so they begged for a king and shortly after they realized what a terrible mistake they had made. In the verse prior to these, we see their brokenness and desperation, longing for what they once had, before they sinned against the Lord. Samuel now attempts to encourage and restore their spirits. He assures them that God has not forsaken them. Samuel implores the people to turn back to God and serve Him with everything they have. He begs them not to seek after that which is vain. Finally, Samuel reminds them of all the Lord has done for them.

Can you relate with these Israelites? Are you in a place where you think restoration is out of the question? Could there be no hope for you to ever come back from what you have done? 

Maybe, you can relate with the Israelites, not because of a “great sin” but simply because the world around you seems so bleak. Is there Hope? If you watch any News station these days , you can certainly relate with the feeling of “no hope”. 

I am no Samuel (Just a Sam), but let me encourage you. THERE IS HOPE.

If you have strayed away from the Lord due to sin, He desires to restore you. He longs for your fellowship. Allow Him to give you hope. 

If you are one who has just lost hope in general, because your situation seems unbearable and there is no “light at the end of the tunnel”, whatever your “tunnel” is. Allow these verses to penetrate your heart and restore your spirit:

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 Samuel 12:22)

You have the option to choose another path, you have the choice of the Hope of Christ or whatever else may be out there. I promise you, this other road will lead to brokenness, Sadness and ultimately destruction. Hope will not be found here. 

And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain (1 Samuel 12:21)

Take a moment to remind yourself of all God has done for you, where He has brought you from and the promises, He has made to you, in His Word. The entire world is searching for something right now and some have no Hope. We, as God’s people, cannot lose Hope, For their sakes, we must have Hope and we must share this Hope.