Don’t give up!

Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the Lord. Instead, worship the Lord with all your heart.

Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless.

The Lord will not abandon his people, because of his great name and because he has determined to make you his own people.” (1 Samuel 12:20-22)

Sometimes, we look at all our sins and failures as Christians, and get discouraged. We wonder how God could still accept us.

But we should take heart from Samuel’s words. Even though we sin, even though we fail, don’t turn away from following the Lord. Instead continue to worship the Lord with all our hearts.

Why?

Because the Lord will not abandon his people. Not because we are so wonderful, but because he is. And he is determined to make us his own people.

More, just as Samuel prayed for the people and continued to teach them the good and right way, so does Jesus, and so does the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:26-27, 34; John 14:26, 16:13; 1 John 1:27)

So again. Don’t give up. Instead remember Samuel’s words:

Above all, fear the Lord and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you. (1 Samuel 12:24)