ODB: Serve Him Today
March 30, 2011
Don’t let yesterday’s failures bankrupt tomorrow’s efforts.
READ: 1 Samuel 12:19-25
You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. —1 Samuel 12:20
Most of us have wanted something so badly that even though we knew it was wrong, we plunged after it anyway. Later we have felt sorrow for our spiritual stubbornness and stupidity. In the aftermath of willfully disobeying God, we may become angry with ourselves, numbed by regret, or resigned to the consequences of our foolish mistake. But there is another choice.
When the people of Israel insisted on having a king despite the warnings of Samuel the prophet (1 Sam. 8:4-9), God allowed them to have their way. But when they realized the tragic results of their choice, they asked for Samuel’s help and prayers (12:19). Samuel told the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart” (12:20).
We can’t undo yesterday, but we can act today to influence tomorrow. Samuel promised to pray for them and teach them the right way. He urged them, “Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you” (v.24).
God invites us to serve Him today, humbly acknowledging His forgiveness and His faithfulness.
— David C. McCasland
Source: Our Daily Bread
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I thank God for this devotional today.
I was supposed to go for evangelism with my evangelism group but I didn’t because I wasn’t able to attend our meeting on Monday and Tuesday night, I felt bad this morning, but i’m encouraged to ask God for forgiveness and move ahead with my service to Him.
I thank God for the ministry of ODB, may God continue to bless us through you Amen.
Albert, Michael
Nigeria.
thank YOU, albert michael! keep reading and sharing
God bless always!
Good morning! I read this on ODB this morning and it was just what I needed. My family and I are on the last day of our vacation and all the bad things I ate are starting to get the best of me–eater’s remorse. Also, all the things that need to be done have come raging back in mind. It took me 6 days to finally relax and enjoy the family God has blessed me with only for my anxious feelings to return. The devotional this morning reminded me–to not let yesterday’s failures bankrupt tomorrow’s efforts!