PODCAST

A Willing Spirit

February 24th, 2023

1 Samuel 12:18-25

One of the dangers of Christian life is that sometimes we trade in our vibrant love for God for stale rule following. We don’t do it on purpose, but it happens. Before long, we can find ourselves trying to earn God’s love, based on our ability to follow rules. 

Samuel is calling Israel to live faithfully in light of God’s previous faithfulness. By saving Israel time and again and by saving them from Egypt before He had given them the law, God has shown that He is trustworthy. God loved and saved them before they even knew how He wanted them to live. Now, Samuel is calling on Israel to be trustworthy. He is calling them to live for God. Living in obedience is, itself, an act of gratitude for the saving work that God had already done.

It should be the same for us. God has loved us and saved us. God has proven himself time and again. Living faithfully into the life God calls us to means living in an obedience born out of love and gratitude for the God who loved us first.

Author: Steven Malcolm