Already but Not Yet

"And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king."

In this chapter of 1st Samuel, I have found a great hope in the character of our God. The people of Israel foolishly sought a king when they had the very God of very gods as their king. They sinned, and when they realized it, they feared the Lord.

Notice that they seek a mediator. They say to Samuel, "pray for thy servants." Praise the Lord that "If any man sin, we have a Mediator."

Samuel acknowledges that the people have made a grave mistake. Yet his answer does not leave them with hopelessness or despair. Rather, he urges them to recognize their mistake and cleave to their God all the more in recognition of their dependence. Lord, thank you.

And then, what a promise, what a hope, what a sanctuary for the stranded soul! That the Lord Himself has chosen a people for His own inheritance. Reminds me of the verse in Hebrews, after dire warnings against forsaking the ways of God, that reminds us still, to "cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great hope of reward."

Amen. Even, so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.