Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you.
I Samuel 12:24
What do we think about when we are told to "only fear the Lord"? Should we cower in fear of God or hide from Him and His divine power? In Samuel's farewell address to the people of Israel, Samuel tells the people to "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him faithfully with all your heart..." Fear is used here as a substitute for respect and humility; be knowing of God's power and recognize His divinity. Samuel instructs the people of Israel to keep in mind that the only wrath you should be afraid of is God's wrath. God's wrath only comes to those who do not follow His laws and those who do not serve Him faithfully. Samuel wants the people of Israel to make God their number one priority, and in return God will make them His.
Samuel states in his address "…for consider what great things He has done for you". How often do we stop to recognize what God has done for us? Do we ever think about God's daily influence on our hectic lives? The truth is that we do not consider the great things God has done for us because we don't care to stop and think about it. Even though we don't care about it God certainly does. God has given us all of His love and we don't even take the time to appreciate it.
Strive to make God your top priority this year, and you will become His.
Kyle Carrier
