“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.”
1 Samuel 12:20 (NIV)

Our daughter Madison was always that kid who typically avoided admission of guilt like a high-priced defense attorney. Even as a toddler, Maddy Kate had the “never plead guilty” mindset imprinted on her soul. And if she decided that the blue sky was actually purple, you had a zero-percent chance of convincing her otherwise.

That said, there is one event from her childhood that sticks out in my mind for being such an anomaly.

Madison was twelve. If I remember correctly it was evening and we’d had friends over cooking burgers, having a little campfire, and hanging out. Suddenly Madison appeared with a very serious look on her face. She said we needed to talk.

The tears began to flow. Her lip quivered.

She confessed to me that she and her friend had taken a wine cooler (remember Bartles & James?) from the refrigerator and snuck off because they wanted to try it. Switching into remorse mode she quickly assured me through her tears that they didn’t drink the whole thing, that she was sorry she’d done it, and she promised she’d never do anything of the kind again.

I had one overwhelming desire in that moment.

I wanted to wrap her in my arms and hold her close.

And so, I did, as I secretly smiled and told her she was forgiven — and that I trusted her promise to never do it again.

Today’s chapter is about a big transition. For the people of Israel, the retirement of Samuel is both a change of leadership, but it’s also a complete change in system of government. Samuel is the last of the Judges — individuals raised by God to lead the tribes for a specific time and purpose. The people had asked for a change. They wanted a human monarch – a king – like all the other nations had. And so, like the prodigal’s father, Father God is granting them their desire knowing that they will find themselves wading in the pig slop of their choices.

Samuel’s farewell speech is not haphazard. It’s formatted in the outline of an ancient covenant renewal:

1. Witness testimony
2. Historical review
3. Covenant obligations
4. Blessings/curses
5. Divine sign.

Samuel is essentially renewing Israel’s relationship with God before the monarchy fully begins. And he does not soft-sell the truth. He reminds the people that asking for a king was something God warned them against through Moses back when the Law was given. Their demand for a king was the wrong thing to do, and they would suffer the consequences of their decision.

Cut to the quick, the people confess and express remorse for their demand, asking Samuel to pray to God that God won’t kill them.

Time-out.

Isn’t that what I naturally expect in the fear of my remorse?

“Dad’s gonna kill me!”

Which makes Samuel’s response even more important. Essentially, he says, “Yes, you’ve done this evil. Now, don’t turn away from the Lord.”

Not, “You’ve failed. Now leave.”
Not, “You’ve ruined everything. There’s no hope for you.”
Not, “I sentence you to death.”

Father God’s response is “Yes, you sinned…Come closer.”

And that’s the rhythm of God’s grace. Samuel even referenced it in his farewell speech. Time and time again the people had turned against God. Time and time again God graciously forgave them, embraced them, and faithfully kept His covenant with them.

Here they are turning against God again.
Here God is, again, faithfully embracing them despite their failure.

Along my spiritual journey I’ve observed that the enemy wants me to believe one of two lies about my sin:

1. “It’s really not that serious.”
2. “It’s ruined everything forever.”

I’ve found both lies to be equally poisonous. Jesus’ message is the truth in the tension between those two extremes when He says to me: “Your sin is real. My grace is more real.”

As my mind wanders back to my daughter’s wine cooler rebellion, I have to smile. It was relatively easy for me to be a gracious father amidst Madison’s overwrought remorse for what was a minor moral infraction. I can point to multiple mistakes I’ve made in life that are far more serious. Yet, every time, Father God has responded the same way.

“Yes, you sinned. Come here. Come closer.”

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