Asta la vista, Samuel?

Good morning! Those darn birds were back again this morning, cheeping and chirping away MUCH earlier than they should be, so I was up early again. However, since I did NOT get my nap yesterday, it was early to bed and early to rise for me. (Even though it wasn't "early to bed, early to blog"!) Here we go!


Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sun, Apr 26 What was the condition Nahash the Ammonite wanted to put on the treaty with Jabesh Gilead? (I Sam 11)
1 Samuel 11:2 2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, "I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel." (I TOLD YOU IT WAS GROSS!)

And here's the question of the day:
Mon, Apr 27: What does Samuel call upon the Lord to send down that made all the people stand in awe of the Lord and of Samuel? (I Sam 12)


And here's the reflection of the day:
Samuel's speech, in I Samuel 12, kind of sounds like a farewell speech, doesn't it? He gathers the people of Israel to him and notes that they will soon have a king instead of a prophet guiding them. He is "old and gray" (v 2). They affirm that he has "not cheated or oppressed us" (v 4). He recounts for them the "evidence before the Lord as to all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for you and your fathers" ( v 7). Sounds like it's Samuel saying, "Asta la vista, baby" to the Israelites.

But it's not really his goodbye. Later on in the chapter, Samuel lets them know this isn't the last time they'll hear from him: "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right" (v 23). He will continue to pray for them; he will continue to speak God's words to them and teach them what is good and right.

He knows that times, they are a-changing. Things will be different now that Israel will have a king. His role is changing. This speech is not his farewell speech; it is a transition speech. Israel is on the cusp of something new and Samuel knows that nothing will ever be the same.

And like so many of us, Samuel seems a little suspicious of change because he cautions Israel, "24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away." Samuel is not totally opposed to doing things in a new way; he just has concerns that Israel is pinning all its hopes and dreams on a king, rather than on God.

What a great reminder Samuel has for the church today! Because membership has been in decline in a lot of mainline denominations, churches are trying new things, finding new ways to reach new people with the good news. And doing things in a new way always creates concern and suspicion in the minds of some people. Concern and suspicion are not always bad; they keep us honest in new endeavors: is our new thing faithful? are we putting all our hopes in the new things we are doing instead of in God?

We haven't heard the last of Samuel yet. (After all, there is a 2 Samuel!) But let us keep his caution in the backs of our minds, in new things as well as old things. God should always be the focus and priority of our lives and worship!

Have a splendid day!
Allison