1st Samuel 12. THE RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF THE LORD In Samuel’s farewell speech he asks them to point out any wrongdoing they might have thought he did. He was reminding them in this way that the idea of a king was not his and that he could not be blamed when God punished their selfishness. Even though they now had a king, God’s commands remained the same. He was the True King in every area of life and we, as they, are to conduct our relationships, work-life and home-life according to God’s principles. The thunderstorm God sent was evidence that He was not pleased with them wanting a king. They were “His people” in spite of all and He was not going to let them away with sin nor would He abandon them [De.7:7-8]. We too are given two responsibilities: [1] pray consistently for others, Ep.6:18 [2] teach others the right way, 2Tim.2:2. It is always a good thing to remember what God has done for us. It helps us to move ahead with gratitude.
Samuel's service for the Lord and His people continued on as a priest, prophet and judge. The political side of national life was now the king's responsibility, but his work as a spiritual guide continued to the end of his life. His life before the people was such that they trusted his word to be true and through him the voice of God was heard. The people testified publicly that his work was without reproach. A public testimony of the righteous life of a servant of God is of great value and needs to be nurtured and guarded. A good reputation before men has an impact on a whole community. Some of Samuel's work was passed on to Saul and his on-going work was of a higher service of intercession with the Lord as a priest for the people, and as a prophet he had a ministry from God for the people. After Samuel had pled his case before the people, he pled for the people before the Lord. That work continues for the Lord's servants today as we represent the Lord to the people around us and then intercede for the lost before the Lord.
The Lord answered His servant in a severe thunderstorm and heavy rain at harvest time, an unusual time of the season. Samuel had told them this would happen and as a miracle of divine intervention, it came to pass. This was a sign to the people that even though they had gotten their own way, God was still in control and was not pleased with them choosing a human king and rejecting His Kingship. The review from the man they rejected, Samuel, was to remind them of the fact that God's commands, and all He required of them, had not changed even though they had a king. The change of administration did not change their responsibility to the Lord as the Supreme Ruler. Men may make their own decisions as to what they are going to do and how they are going to live, but God is unchanging and we are still accountable to Him no matter what society may choose to believe.
Samuel's grey head, and the dignity and integrity of this aged man that would have showed on his face was because of his continual service from the Lord from his youth up. He had "walked before them" as a faithful guide showing the value of a righteous life and walk in the dark days of departure. in spite of every pressure of the world to conform or mold us into its ways, we need to remain consistent to the truth of God. The people we know may reject us and what we believe and teach, yet we must remain faithful to the Lord and them in spite of their attitude. Days of rejection will come to an end when the One we serve comes to get us and take us home. Our Lord controls the weather, but no earthly king can do that. All laws men make are ultimately subject to the laws of God and so it will be with all people. The authority of God supersedes all other considerations in a nation, assembly, business and family relationships. It is a righteous act of God to punish disobedience in order to bring about repentance and recovery.
The reminders Samuel gave to the people as he spoke to them about the Lord they had rejected, started with God's deliverance from Egypt. We need to remember Calvary and all that has come to us since we came by faith to Christ and began our new life with God. It was there our hope was placed on our Lord Jesus for our life and future. Love for God became real to us there and as a result of the new nature, "We know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." A love for God and His people is evident in those who have been delivered from "Egypt" by the shed blood of the Lamb. Forgetting God and taking Him for granted brings defeat, and at times, disaster in our Christian life. It happened to Israel in the past and it can happen to us when we leave the walk of faith.
When repentance is genuine and people turn to the Lord, he is willing to respond to our cry for mercy and forgiveness. The judges Samuel spoke to the people about had to do with the divine intervention of God in the lives of the Israelis. Divine Power, Divine Command, Divine Position and Divine Appointment had been seen in the lives of the previous judges and Samuel indicated that he was the one who had received the Divine Appointment. He committed himself to prayer for the people of God. That practice should be continued by us and our commitment to teaching the truth to others so they will come to the Lord is the priority which are to maintain. Reflection on God's ways and works with us will make us appreciate His grace and goodness. It will strengthen our faith and further establish our fellowship with Him. In times of reflective gratitude, we look back and see the benefits of the corrective times, the judgments of God, and see that these are all the "righteous acts of God."
Samuel reminds the Israelites of the God they had in essence forgotten in their ignorance and unbelief. By ignoring Him they revealed they had eyes only for an earthly man who looked like they thought a king should look. Their allegiance to Saul didn't relieve them from their responsibility to the Lord. If they would walk under His direction, they would be blessed. If not, He would bring judgment. The great thunderstorm was like God was saying "Amen" to Samuel reasoning with them of all the "righteous acts of God." To ignore God's will and word is to ignore Him. We need to resolve before the Lord that we will not treat divine truth as something we can take or leave at our own will. Even when others seem to fail, we can learn from Samuel the value of being a loving father, and faithful mentor, a trusted prophet, a talented advocate and a true guide to the people with whom we have influence.