You know, there are some pieces of counsel which just stay with you. Words of advice that, though they take but a moment to speak, they have an impact for a lifetime. Such a “pearl of wisdom” was presented to me over 30 years ago by a preacher of a bygone era who has since gone to be the Lord, Murdy Getty. He could be a frightening figure as he often preached loud and hard and didn’t shy away from the fire and brimstone stuff. But, one on one, he could be so tender. One day at a teens camp where I was working and he was speaking, as we talked and I relayed to him some of the struggles I was maneuvering through as a young believer, he said this to me, “Pete, the Lord won’t allow you to make an irrevocable error.” It resonated then, found a place in my heart, and has often come to mind. And, it came back to me this morning as I continued reading in 1Samuel.

“And all the people said to Samuel, ‘Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.’ And Samuel said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself.’ ”
(1Samuel 12:19-22 ESV)

It was a theocracy . . . a “one God rule” . . . but they wanted a monarchy. The Lord their God was king, but they wanted a flesh and blood king (12:12). God didn’t abdicate the throne of Israel, the subjects asked Him to vacate it that they might “follow the best practices” of the nations around them. That it was wrong was clear . . . it was sin . . . it was great wickedness (12:17) . . . it would have both short-term and long-term consequences . . . it wouldn’t be long before Saul goes south and it seems to be a grand mistake . . . but . . . it wasn’t an irrevocable error. For the Lord will not forsake His people.

I highlight promises in God’s word with an orange colored pencil . . . 1Samuel 19:22 is orange . . . the Lord will not forsake His people.

When we blow it . . . trip up . . . fall down . . . crash and burn . . . we have an enemy, the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), who tries to tell us, “You’re done. Give it up. No picking up these pieces.” Lies! God will not allow us to make irrevocable errors. The Lord will not forsake His people.

Not that our errors aren’t without dire consequences sometimes . . . not that they won’t potentially change life’s course . . . but our God has a way of taking our wrong turns and directing them back to Himself and to His purpose for us. It pleased the Lord to make us a people for Himself . . . His purposes will be accomplished in our lives . . . for His name’s sake and glory.

I read 1Samuel 12 and I think ahead to chapter 16 and the anointing of a replacement king for Saul . . . a young shepherd upstart . . . a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). I read 1Samuel 12 and I think ahead to 2Samuel 7 and God’s promise to King David that “your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2Sam. 7:16). And I read 1Samuel 12 and I think ahead to a King born of a virgin . . . the fulfillment of the promise . . . the eternal heir to the earthly throne requested by rebellious people . . . the return of the theocracy as God Himself reclaims the throne . . . the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. And so, I think, of a God who will not allow me to make irrevocable errors . . . He is faithful and will not forsake His people . . . all things, even my boneheaded failures, work together to accomplish God’s purposes (Rom. 8:28). How great is our God?!?

Age old counsel . . . a few mistakes along life’s path to test it . . . and a reminder that it pleased the Lord to make Himself a people . . . of which I am part . . . and that the work that He has begun in me, He will complete (Php. 1:6) . . . not allowing me to stray down a path He can not lead me back from. Mine is to “not turn aside from following the Lord, but to serve Him with all my heart” . . . knowing He is faithful to forgive . . . that His blood is sufficient for the detour . . . and that His glory will be revealed. Amen?