1 Samuel 12:16-25 NKJV “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes: [17] Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves.” [18] So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. [19] And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.” [20] Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. [21] And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. [22] For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. [23] Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. [24] Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. [25] But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”
Calling a democratic government “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” a quote originally attributed to Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. President, is the best a fallen world can do, and when it came to Israel’s decision to go from a Theocracy to a Democracy, ruled by kings, it was wickedness in God’s eyes. God demonstrated His displeasure at what they had done supernaturally by suddenly making it thunder and rain.
Our shortcomings and failure to be what the Lord wants us to be should not stop us from serving the Lord. Even under this Old Covenant Law, the Lord showed them mercy and promised them blessings if they would continue to serve the Lord. How much greater is His mercy under our New Covenant where all our sins have been placed upon Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. [18] Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, [19] that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. [20] Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. [21] For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
No one has ever served the Lord perfectly, and we aren’t going to be the first. We are imperfect people serving a perfect God. It is only through His mercy and grace that any of us find acceptance with the Lord.
Romans 5:1-2 NKJV Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Despite our failures to serve the Lord faithfully, God promised His faithfulness to them. What a great, merciful God we serve.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 NKJV This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. [12] If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. [13] If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.