1 Samuel 12:19-24

In this passage, Samuel does not hold back in acknowledging the evil done by the people, but yet, he also acknowledges that God is so full of grace that He will not abandon His chosen people. “For the sake of His great name, the Lord will not reject His people, because the Lord was pleased to make you His own.” And Samuel acknowledges his own responsibility for God’s people by acknowledging his need to pray for them. He goes as far as calling any neglect to pray for them a sin against God. What a loving and righteous approach! May we feel the same urgency and need to uphold God’s people in prayer, especially the congregation of Sycamore during this time of transition and change.