A connection between math and the endtimes
... and also a guide to returning to God in the wake of sin
Pun
Prayer
In the wake of failure to follow God, the temptation to continue on the same path is strong. Returning to the right path is challenging.
In the prophet Samuel's farewell speech, he reminded the Israelites of their long history of sin and their most recent failure in rejecting God and choosing a human king. As evidence of God's displeasure, Samuel prayed and an unseasonable thunderstorm appeared. Shocked to repentance, the people plead with Samuel for deliverance from the Lord's wrath.
The counsel Samuel gave is still a wise path for the repentant sinner to follow. I offer this summary of 1 Samuel 12:20-25 as an aid to your prayers as you seek God in the wake of failure.
In the Wake of Sin:
1. Do Not Be Afraid
“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. (v. 20)
Do not be afraid of God. Do not be afraid His love is withdrawn. Do not be afraid that He has ceased to help you. Do not be afraid that other believers will abandon you. Do not be afraid that the good times are over for good. Don't be afraid. Stop it. Now.
2. Persevere in Obedience
“Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. (v.20)
Past failure is no reason to continue in disobedience. Nor is it a reason to make rash oaths and promises that you have no way of being certain you will fulfill. Return to a love of God and let service flow from that heart.
3. Do Not Turn to Idols
“Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.” (v. 21)
Abandon any inkling of a thought of mending a spiritual issue with a worldly solution. Feelings of pain, depression, and desperation often follow the felt guilt of disobedience. These aches are not problems to be solved so much as they are signals that reveal an emptiness that can only be filled by the power and love of God.
4. Trust you Are Loved by God
“Indeed, for the sake of His great name the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own. ” (v. 22)
Know you still belong to God and are deeply loved by God. Do not imagine that sin has left you far away from God's great graces and that you must make a trek alone back to Him. He is always with you and has never left. Your worthiness of His love is not attached to performance. In fact, you have no hope of recovering from sin without the grace and love of God. In knowing you are accepted, also know that He will lead you on.
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