How great things

Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24

The motivation to serve the Lord shouldn't be what we can squeeze out of him (as if he were a miser as respects blessings for his children) but rather from a consideration of what he has already done for us. And as Samuel put it to the children of Israel, what God has done for us can only be put under the category of "great things." As for the Israelites, God had brought them out of Egypt and made them a special people apart from all the other nations, had been merciful again and again with them when they had forsaken him for other gods, and had now given them a king according to their request.

But for the Christian, the great things God has done for him is even greater. For he has not just delivered us from an earthly slavery, but from slavery from the world, the flesh, and the devil (Eph. 2:2-3). He has not only delivered us from the wrath of an earthly monarch, but through the atoning work of his Son he has delivered us from his own just and eternal wrath (Eph. 2:3-9). He has caused us to be born again to a living hope to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven (1 Pet. 1:3-4). Indeed, he has given us his Son, and with him all good things (Rom. 8:32).

This morning, it might be easy to miss the smiling face of God that hides behind clouds of dark providences. But remember, whatever trial you are currently facing, if you are a believer, if you belong to Christ, nothing can take away the great things God has already done for us and what he is doing in you now, and what he will do for you in a future of eternal blessedness. Dear brother and sister, fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart, for consider all the great things he has done for you.