“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

1 Samuel 8-12

 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” 1 Samuel 12:20-25

Day 85 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Samuel's anointing of Saul as king over Israel.

A key theme and message throughout these chapters is how the Israelites rejected God as their leader and sought an earthly leader or King instead.  See 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 19-21, 10:19, 12:12, 17, and 19).  Similarly, although the OT is clear and it is prophesied many times that God will send the Messiah, when Jesus does arrive, it is the Jewish leaders and elders who also rejected God.  What is amazing is that God allows us to make such unwise and sinful decisions yet He does not reject us should we repent and turn to Him. Assuming we fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully (1 Samuel 12:24) and that we don't persist in doing evil (1 Samuel 12:25), we will remain His people and He will not reject us.

A couple of verses come to mind:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Hebrews 10:26-27

  
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me the power to overcome sin and temptation in my life - I am grateful.  I know there is work to do but I am grateful for You in my life!  I am not deserving of such love.  I continue to sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.