1 Samuel 2:30
The Lord declares, “Those who honour me I will honour, and those who despise me shall be treated with contempt.” 1 Samuel 2:30
This declaration was made to Eli concerning his sons. They had deviated from the way of the Lord and the example of their father. Further, they were leading the people astray. Against this background the Lord had rejected them. Truly, ‘it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’. (see Heb.10:31) Surely you do not want such fate to befall you!
This declaration was made to Eli concerning his sons. They had deviated from the way of the Lord and the example of their father. Further, they were leading the people astray. Against this background the Lord had rejected them. Truly, ‘it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’. (see Heb.10:31) Surely you do not want such fate to befall you!
On the other hand, God honours those who honour him. Jesus puts it this way: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which s in heaven.” (Matt.10:32) This clearly indicates the expectation of balance in the relationship. You therefore should not expect God’s favour if you are not prepared to honour, respect and worship him. As we were reminded in last week’s Watchword, “You shall worship the Lord your God and he will bless your resources”. (Exod.23:25)
It is good for us that, whereas God always keeps his word, he is not always as severe with us as his word suggests. And he is more liberal in the fulfilment of his promises than his promises seem to suggest. Hence, when he considered the sinful world to be due destruction, he also considered his promise never again to destroy the world by flood, and he instead sent his Son to substitute for us in the peril that would otherwise have befallen us. Thus Jesus came to earth to be our Saviour.
So maintain your end of the relationship now. Honour and worship him and experience his blessings as a result. Avoid being at a place where you may risk his wrath and rejection.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for loving us and so protecting us even when we were in danger of being rejected by you. Thank you for Jesus, who came to carry our sin. Thank you for sparing us when you could have annihilated us. Thank you for your mercy. Amen.
It is good for us that, whereas God always keeps his word, he is not always as severe with us as his word suggests. And he is more liberal in the fulfilment of his promises than his promises seem to suggest. Hence, when he considered the sinful world to be due destruction, he also considered his promise never again to destroy the world by flood, and he instead sent his Son to substitute for us in the peril that would otherwise have befallen us. Thus Jesus came to earth to be our Saviour.
So maintain your end of the relationship now. Honour and worship him and experience his blessings as a result. Avoid being at a place where you may risk his wrath and rejection.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for loving us and so protecting us even when we were in danger of being rejected by you. Thank you for Jesus, who came to carry our sin. Thank you for sparing us when you could have annihilated us. Thank you for your mercy. Amen.
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