Once, while I was serving a church in a farming community, we had a big rain. One of the farmers told me it was a million-dollar rain. It came at the perfect time for their crops and provided just enough moisture. This rain meant a huge profit for the farmers in the area.
However, Samuel warned the people about a different kind of rain from God. This rain would come right before the harvest and ruin their crops instead of helping them grow. That’s the lesson from 1st Samuel 12.
Samuel told the people, “Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking for yourselves a king” (1 Samuel 12:16-17).
The Israelites often wanted to be like their neighbors. They mixed worship of the one true God with Canaanite gods. They also desired leadership not from the Lord through a prophet or judge, but from a king, like other nations had.
This lack of trust in God and rebellion against His will lead to God’s judgment through rain.
So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel (1 Samuel 12:18).
The People Repent
When faced with God’s judgment, the people quickly repented.
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 this evil, to ask for ourselves a king” (1 Samuel 12:19).
You will remember this famous passage about repentance and renewal.
When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).
When a disaster strikes, instead of blaming others, God tells us to humble ourselves before Him. We should pray, seek an encounter with Him, and repent.
God’s Response
Samuel shared the good news that God would not destroy the people. He was dedicated to helping them show God’s character to the world.
And Samuel said to the people, “Fear not; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;
And do not turn aside after vain things which cannot profit or save, for they are vain.
For the LORD will not cast away his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself (1 Samuel 12:20-22).
Let’s remember that no matter what’s happening in the world, God is active in human history. He is guiding events toward a time when everyone will give Him the reverence He is due.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).
With this in mind, God uses his people, Israel and the church, to show his character. He trusts us to be faithful witnesses of his reputation. That’s why he tells us to turn away from worthless things and turn to him, who is full of value.
Samuel – the Intercessor
Samuel is a great example of an intercessor. He tells the people that it would be wrong to stop praying for them.
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” (1 Samuel 12:23).
As we think about Samuel and his prayers for God’s people, let’s ask ourselves:
- Who in our lives are we meant to pray for?
- Are they included in our daily prayers?
- Do we give them our best effort?
Let’s make sure we do.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 