#DailyDevotion Just Don’t Accept Condemnation. Repent and Believe The Good News!
July 20
1 Sam 3:1–21
1Sa 3:18-19 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.” (19) And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
By Eli’s reaction to the Word of the Lord from Samuel, I can see how his family was so messed up. He receives this horrible fate from the mouth of the Lord and what does he do? He just goes, “Oh well!” Really? He doesn’t lament, cry, or beg for forgiveness. He doesn’t remind the Lord of His Name—gracious, merciful, forgiving, steadfast love. At least Abraham got the Lord down to 10 righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah. He is almost as bad as Hezekiah who when he receives bad news for his future family just goes, “Well as long as it doesn’t happen to me.”
When the Word of the Lord comes to you in judgment don’t just take it passively. There are a lot of people who once went to church and when they heard they were going to hell for their bad behaviors said, “Oh well.” Then they go on with their lives and bad behavior. It is the strangest thing. Don’t be one of those people! Fall down, cry out loud, confess your sins and beg God’s forgiveness. Be repentant and turn from that sin. All the more believe in the promise of the forgiveness of sins.
That is where verse 19 becomes important. None of the words of Samuel fell to the grounds. That means everything he spoke came true. Indeed all of the words of God come to pass, though he will relent to mercy if people repent. Mercy is the Lord’s default position. When Samuel made predictions, things happened. The same is true of all of God’s Word. If all of God’s Word has come to pass then all of things God has promised us in His Word is dependable.
What Word should we maybe take to heart today if we have found ourselves in Eli’s position? 1Jn 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin…9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Don’t just stand there and be condemned. Confess your sins. Jesus is faithful and just and will forgive you your sins. He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Jesus will be your advocate before the Father and plead your case. Jesus will procure for you a judgment of not guilty.
Samuel’s words being fulfilled means all of God’s promises are yes in Christ Jesus. So God’s promise of an inheritance will come to pass. A new heavens and a new earth will be delivered. A new immortal, imperishable body will be given to all who trust in Christ Jesus at the resurrection. Life with God for all eternity will be a reality. But the judgment to everlasting damnation for all who do not repent is also coming to pass. So trust in God’s promises, repent and believe the good news.
Heavenly Father, grant us faith to repent of our sins, confess them and believe the good news of your name and receive all your benefits. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.