Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done
for you. – 1 Samuel 12:24
This verse comes toward the end of the prophet Samuel’s farewell address to Israel. He’s concerned that the people stay faithful in their service to God. Notice that he doesn’t just want Israel to serve God, he
tells them to serve God faithfully with all their heart. Unfortunately, throughout the story of Israel, their service to God was often halfhearted at best. The reason for Israel’s waywardness, I think, is that they
failed to do the 2nd half of what Samuel told them in verse 24. They didn’t consider the great things God had done for them, and so their service to Him suffered.
Even today, we are called to serve God faithfully with all our hearts. But for many of us, there are times when our service to God is half-hearted at best. We love God, and want to serve him, but we easily find excuses for not serving him with all our hearts. I wonder what would happen if we spent more time considering all the great things he has done for us?
Last week we celebrated Easter, a day when we remember the greatest thing God has ever done for us. He sent his Son Jesus to die in our place and to absorb the punishment we deserve for our sin. Then on the 3rd day, Jesus rose from the dead, conquered sin and death, and made it possible for us to have eternal life with him!
Really think about what that means for you, and then see if it doesn’t make you want to serve him with all your heart!