I recently got to run in the Flying Pig 5k, along with a few other people from Bridge City. The run went well, but there were a few times throughout the race that I did not actually know where the course went. Between the large crowd of runners, focusing on my own running, and not being sure which side of the traffic cones I was supposed to be on, I mainly had to trust that the rest of the people ahead of me were going the right way.
There is a correct course that God has laid out for us, but it can often be difficult to follow as well. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on others because we all go astray and sin. Thankfully, God has given His word to guide us, but if we want to have hope in His word then we must follow the path of righteousness He has shown us. Samuel set a good example as he grew up, even though he was surrounded by wickedness. As a young boy, 1 Samuel 2:12-26 describes how he stayed on the course of righteousness.
12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. 13 The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, 14 and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw.” 16 And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force.” 17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt. 18 Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. 19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the LORD give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the LORD.” So then they would return to their home. 21 Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD. 22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. 25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. 26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man. – 1 Samuel 2:12-26
- Sin is destructive
Eli’s sons were supposed to help God’s people worship, but instead they took advantage of others for their own gain. Not only did they deserve death, but they also hindered other people from righteousness. We all deserve to be destroyed because we have followed the path of sin, treating God with contempt.
- We must strive for holiness
Thankfully, death in sin is not the end of the story. Christ has saved us from our own sin and helps us to follow the course he has laid out in righteousness. Just like Samuel, we must remain obedient to God, even if no one else does.
- Righteousness is joining in God’s goodness
God was raising Samuel up as a part of a plan that lasted generations. This child of a barren woman would one day anoint David, whose ancestor would be Jesus. Our obedience allows us to join into that same good plan that God has been working throughout history.
God does incredible things through His people when we obey Him. So let’s be faithful to fight against sin and stay on the course of righteousness.