Ever get tired of praying for someone? After a few decades you begin to wonder if they will every repent - if they will ever turn to the LORD and receive the blessings He so graciously has given them?
Samuel warns the people. They have been evil in asking for an earthly king and he warns them not to forget the LORD. He tells them, "..Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; and do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless. For the LORD will not cast away his people..." (12:20-22) Even though we sin against God, even though we've turned our back to Him, we can be assured that He loves us, and desires that we should turn around and love and serve Him.
God never gives up on us nor should we ever give up on others. In fact, Samuel considers it a sin against God to stop praying for others. "Morevoer as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you..." (12:23)
Can you imagine as a parent giving up on your children? Can you imagine ceasing your prayers for them? I know there are a few in this world who could care less about their children and would indeed give them a snake rather than a fish. (Luke 11:11) But, most of us would not. We desire good things for our children, the best life, just as God our Father desires the best lift for all of His children.
Let us not quit praying for all our sons and daughters, for all our neighbors, that they may be saved and serve the LORD with gladness as His beloved children. That all might know and receive and live in His blessings.
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