Serve God Faithfully
Do your best and forget the rest
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However, fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Just look at the great things he has done for you!
1 Samuel 12:24 (NET)
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Yesterday we looked at Samuel’s commitment to the people of Israel.
Today we look at Israel’s commitment to God.
Samuel instructs them to fear God and serve Him faithfully.
Of course, the fear is a reverential fear.
It’s us acknowledging that God has the power & authority to Judge us and condemn us to eternal punishment. Yet He also has the grace that led Him to sending Christ to pay our punishment so that we could spend eternity with Him.
So, yes, we should be fearful … and grateful.
This gratitude should also help us serve Him faithfully.
I think we can all admit that we’re not great at that “faithfully” part.
Indeed, the Israelite people weren’t great at that either.
What we have now is the Holy Spirit living within us (as believers) that can help us accomplish this impossible task.
Remember, faithfulness is a fruit of His Spirit.
(The fruit of the Spirit seems to come up a lot in Scripture. I hadn’t noticed how often before going on this daily journey.)
Anyway, if you’re like me and struggling to live perfectly faithfully, then ask for help.
You can cry out to God or even seek out other believers to help hold you accountable.
No matter what help you reach out for, keep moving forward. Ignore the stumbling. Honor God by doing your best and trusting His grace to cover the rest.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
