Repeat after me...

Something jumps out at you when you read from our sermon passage last week (1 Samuel 10) to our sermon passage for this week (1 Samuel 13)...and even into our passage for next week (1 Samuel 15). Reminders! Yes, we pointed out several reminders in our sermon last Sunday. God reminding His people of what He has done for them. God reminding His people how they have treated Him. And, God warning His people what will happen when they repeat their past sins again.

Part of this reminder process is actually a result of the Hebrew language. It was quite repetitive. You might notice this when you read through most any Old Testament narrative. You will see texts like this:

So, the Lord spoke through His servant Moses to the people: "Thus says the Lord..."

The writer says the Lord is speaking...and then Moses says the Lord is speaking. Twice, you are REMINDED that the Lord is speaking! In other places, you will see someone says something is going to happen (like Samuel in 1 Samuel 10)...then you will get the story on what actually happened. You could have 2 chapters cover something that, if you were trying to be brief, might only take 10-15 verses. This is just how the Hebrews spoke and wrote. Remember that most couldn't read, so stories were memorized and shared. Repeating things were good memory tools.

So, what does this have to do with our series on David? Well, we should expect things to be repeated just by the nature of the language we are translating from. But, when things get repeated over and over and over again...then maybe the writer, and the inspirer behind the writing (GOD!), is trying to get a message into our thick skulls.

These repeat messages show up a lot in the context of our passage this Sunday (1 Samuel 13). If you start back at 1 Samuel 8 and go up through chapter 14. This Sunday we are going to attempt to summarize what goes on in these 5-6 chapters. In order to give you a window into what I am talking about, I want to take one chapter and see the reminders. Let's look at 1 Samuel 12:

This chapter is basically a farewell speech or address from Samuel to Israel. Saul has been identified and accepted as King and Samuel, it appears, is attempting to retire from public life. Remember last Sunday I mentioned how God had spoken several times about He had redeemed Israel from Egypt and protected them and given them the Promised Land? Samuel, after a few opening remarks, says that AGAIN in verses 7-9. He then recounts the many rejections of Israel of God and many redemptions of God for Israel, again...things God has already said before. In verse 12-13, God reminds (again!!) the people about how their decision to ask for a king was a rejection of God as their king.

Then, after all the reminders of things God has already reminded them of...we move on to something different. This is verse 14:

"If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will FOLLOW the Lord your God, it will be well."

Israel kind of gets a clean slate! After all the reminders, they have received a slap of grace right across the face. In the next verse, God issues a warning that if they DON'T serve/obey/follow, then the Lord's hand will be against them. So, new king, new season, new opportunity. Of course, I like the concept of FOLLOWING!

Then something interesting happens. First, God gets their attention over their sin with a thunder and lightning show. Next, the people REPENT! Grace first, then the people respond. Finally, after all that...the really interesting part: REMINDERS!!! It is really crazy, but God, does it again! Verse 20: "Yet do not turn aside from FOLLOWING THE LORD, but serve the Lord with all your HEART." He then reminds us of God's great love for His people. Then...AGAIN...another REMINDER!! Verse 24: "Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart...consider what great things He has done for you...but if you do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king."

So, what do we do with this? There are many applications here. One obvious one is that if God says it once, then pay attention...if He says it 5 times, REALLY PAY ATTENTION! We can do better than that, though, can't we? Here is what I want you to get from this:

The life of a believer is simple (not saying its easy, just simple). Love God. Serve Him. Follow Him. We see so much pain and suffering in the Scriptures...and God always brings it back to the simple truth: you chased after other gods and other things and rejected Me. Just love the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind, etc. That is the summary of the 10 commandments, right? Love God and love others. That is the message of Christ, right? Love God, love others, follow Me. It shows up everywhere in the Scriptures...several times right here hidden in the middle of Samuel: fear God, serve Him, obey...follow Him.

When your life is packed with clutter (we all have it!)...simplify. Our lives as believers is simply about following Jesus. Focusing on that one thing will enlighten us to handle the 1,000 other things thrown our way. Think about it: Israel had a new king, many enemies, a valuable piece of land, a weapon shortage, hundreds of thousands of people, and a history of sin and suffering. Lots on their plate. God's advice? Samuel's advice? Just love God, obey, and follow. Simple.