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“My Favorite Verse”
“My Favorite Verse”
Brian Ketchem
This week I had an opportunity to speak in chapel in the BVBI Extension school in Cambodia via Zoom. Wes assigned the topic of "your favorite verse." I have to admit it took a while to come up with a favorite, but once I picked one, it was easy to explain why.
I chose 1 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." In context, Samuel is giving his "farewell address." Although he is not leaving the scene, Israel now has a king that will take over the military component of Judgeship. Samuel's role is going to diminish, but he is still going to be responsible for teaching. He says, "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." What follows in verse 24 could be considered his first directive in this new role. I see three commands that he gives Israel.
Fear the Lord - First, Samuel says to fear the Lord. I think this refers to the fact that Israel chose to reject God as their king and demand an earthly king. Samuel wants the children of Israel to remember that despite their poor choice, they can still remember to fear God. To fear God, in part, is to remember that he has the authority to make the laws, but, more importantly, for this command, meet out punishment. Samuel wants Israel to choose God as the king regardless of who now sits on the throne.
Serve him faithfully - Second, Samuel says, "serve him faithfully." The word faithfully means steadfastly or without wavering. It is almost like Samuel can see into the future. He knows that Israel will struggle to maintain their relationship with God. He wants them to set their resolve now so that there will be no doubt in who they serve.
Remember what he has done - Finally, Samuel says, "consider what great things he has done for you." This statement should have hit Israel like a ton of bricks. From Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, and on and on, Israel has a rich history of great things. God has done great thing after great thing for them. This should have been enough motivation to fulfill the first two commands.
This is my favorite verse (one of them, at least) because it can be applied directly to my life. I need to do the three things that Samuel wants Israel to do. Moreover, I have more great things to praise God for than even Israel did. Everything God did for Israel; he was doing for me to bring Christ. And then, on top of that, he has continued to bless me in many ways. I am sure you can say the same. So, let us fear God, serve him faithfully, and thank him for all he has done.
