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撒母耳记上［第12章］
Book of 1 Samuel 12

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撒母耳记上［第12章］|Book of 1st Samuel 12

【敬畏事奉真正的王】

主讲: 丘均发传道

21/07/2023


引言：谁是我们的王？

一、忠心事奉的好见证 (V1-5)

撒母耳正式将带领百姓的责任移交给以色列第一任的王扫罗，在此他也为自己过去的事奉作了一个总结。透过以色列众人承认他的手洁心清，和有神为证，证明他是一位敬虔忠心事奉神的人。这提醒我们，是否也经得起别人对我们事奉的评价? 神怎样见证我们的事奉呢?

二、申明拯救是出于神(V6-11)

这段经文申明，每当以色列百姓在困境中呼求神时，神就垂听，并立刻差遣拯救者临到他们中间，因此当他们被列国列邦欺压时，一直拯救他们的都是神，神才是真正使他们安然居住的王。

三、耶和华才是你们的王 (V12-19)

1.人选的王是神所立 (V12-15)

撒母耳要以色列百姓明白，他们所求所选的王，是神所立的。所以，地上的王与所有百姓一样都要顺从神，接受神的管理。今天无论我们是在什么位置，要记得我们都是在神的管理之下。

2.要求立王是犯大罪 (V16-19)

撒母耳再一次要让百姓清楚，他们立王是大大得罪神，所以向神求一个‘打雷降雨’的神迹。因为在割麦子的时候，打雷降雨是很少见的。神以征兆证实撒母耳之言，百姓不要神作他们的王是犯了大罪。 我们要以神为我们的王，跟随真正的王！不要跟随世界的价值观。

四、全心敬畏尽心事奉 (V20-24)

神虽然被祂的百姓撇弃，但神因祂的大名和拣选，仍不撇弃祂的子民。所以撒母耳教导百姓如何回转回应神﹕
1.不偏离神就不撇弃 (V20-22)
2.受教行善道走正路 (V23)
3.敬畏神尽心事奉神 (V24a)
4.想念神所行的大事 (V24b)

今天我们也要按以上4点教导来跟从和事奉神，时时数算神的作为。当人忘记神的恩典时，就很容易离开神。我们要认清我们要事奉的是耶和华！

总结：若仍作恶，你们和你们的王必一同灭亡(V25)

撒母耳向以色列人说明，若仍作恶-不尊神为王，他们和他们的王必一同灭亡！要知道耶和华才是他们真正的王！并劝勉以百姓要敬畏事奉神。

今天神对我们也一样，我们若有软弱失败，神不会撇弃我们。只要我们认定神是我们生命的王，全心敬畏尽心事奉祂，必会如扫罗蒙拣选！被提升！

1 Samuel 12 Fear and Serve the True King
GK611 Morning Devotion
21/7/2023
The Morning Devotion Speakers: Ps. Daniel Kew

Introduction: Who Is Our King?

1. A Good Testimony of Faithful Service (V1-5)

Samuel officially handed over the responsibility of leading the people to Saul, the first king of Israel. Here he also made a summary of his past ministry. Through the recognition of his clean hands and pure heart by all the people in Israel, and the testimony of God, it proves that he is a man who serves God devoutly and faithfully. This reminds us, whether we can also stand up to others’ appraisal of our service. How does God testify of our service?

2. Affirm that salvation is from God (V6-11)

This scripture states that whenever the people of Israel call on God in distress, God will hear and immediately send a saviour to their midst. He is the King who really makes them dwell in peace.

3. Jehovah is your King (V12-19)

(1) The king chosen by man is appointed by God (V12-15)

Samuel wanted the people of Israel to understand that the king they asked for was appointed by God. Therefore, the kings of the earth like all men must obey God and accept God’s control. No matter where we are today, we must remember that we are all under God's control.

(2) Demanding a king is a great sin (V16-19)

Once again, Samuel wanted to let the people know that their establishment of a king was a great offence to God, so he asked God for a miracle of "thunder and rain". Because when the wheat is harvested, thunder and rain are rare. God used signs to confirm Samuel's words, and the people committed a great sin by not wanting God to be their king.

We must take God as our king and follow the real king! Don't follow the world's values.

4. Serve with reverence and dedication wholeheartedly (V20-24)

Although God has been abandoned by His people, and for the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people. So, Samuel taught the people how to respond to God:

(1) Not be forsaken if do not deviate from God (V20-22)
(2) Teachable, do good deeds and follow the right path (V23)
(3) Fear God and serve God wholeheartedly (V24a)
(4) Remember the great things God has done (V24b)

Today we must also follow and serve God according to the above 4 points, and count God’s deeds at all times. When people forget about God's grace, it is easy to leave God. We must recognise that what we want to serve is Jehovah God!

Conclusion: If you continue to do evil, you and your king will perish together (V25)

Samuel explained to the Israelites that if they continued to do evil - not honouring God as king, they and their king would perish together! Know that Jehovah is their real king! He also exhorted the people to fear and serve God.

God treats us the same today. If we are weak and fail, God will not abandon us. As long as we believe that God is the King of our lives, and serve Him with reverence wholeheartedly and with dedication, we will surely be chosen like Saul! Be promoted!