Second Chances

The people of Israel wanted a king. When they made this demand, God explained the reality to Samuel: "They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them" (I Samuel 8:7). This was a failure. Israel had the best King already, but they did not want to follow Him. Their lips still gave homage to God, but their hearts rebelled, and they demanded the kind of leader they wanted.

At God's direction and with His guidance, Samuel anointed Saul to be king. The people got want they wanted, and Samuel presented their king to them. "Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the LORD has set a king over you" (I Samuel 12:13). Even though this was no longer the best situation, Samuel challenged them to do the best in this setting. He called for both the king and the people to follow God.

Although the people were now satisfied, their choice did not come without consequences. God wanted to drive home to these people the absolute importance of following Him in the future. He did not want them to continue making choices that contradicted His plan. God provided a powerful display to remind Israel of their wrong choice. Samuel said, "Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the LORD by asking for yourselves a king" (I Samuel 12:17).

The storm destroyed the crops, and the divine display of power had its impact. "All the people greatly feared the LORD" (v. 18). They asked Samuel to pray for them (v. 19). They acknowledged their sin: "For we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king" (v. 19). They people were repentant and desired to do right going forward.

Samuel encouraged the people that they had a second chance. They could reap the blessings of following God from this point. "Samuel said to the people, 'Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your hearts'" (v. 20).

The people were not to waste their second chance for several considerations. First, if they turned away from their renewed resolve, they "would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver" (v. 21). They would end up on a frustrating and profitless path.

Second, they should not turn away when they remembered God's faithfulness and love. "For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself" (v. 22). They should remain faithful to the God who was faithful to them.

Third, they should not waste their chance when they remembered what God had done for 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). In grateful remembrance, they should serve the One worth serving.

Finally, they should not waste their chance because it would result in deserved judgment. "But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away" (v. 25). The judgment for a future failure would be worse than what they had just witnessed.

When God's people humble themselves and repent, God often gives second chances. Those chances are a precious demonstration of God's mercy and grace. Wasting those second chances is a serious thing. It belittles God's past work and trivializes His great character. Furthermore, it invites a wasted life and future judgment. When God gives a second chance, don't blow it!