Pathways to Purposeਨਮੂਨਾ

There’s a lie we often believe when we fall into sin: that God is done with us. That we’ve crossed a line, messed up too much, or failed one too many times. But that’s not what Scripture teaches.

In this passage, the Israelites had just realized the depth of their mistake. They had rejected God as King and asked for a human king instead. They were afraid—afraid that God would abandon them because of their rebellion. But Samuel’s response is both honest and hopeful: “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord…”

He doesn’t minimize their sin, but he also doesn’t leave them in despair. Instead, he points them back to God’s faithfulness. Why? Because God’s commitment to His people isn’t based on their perfection, but on His unchanging character. “The Lord will not abandon his people… He was pleased to make you his very own.”

Even when we sin, we can dare to hope. If we repent and turn back to God with our whole hearts, He welcomes us. He is not a God who abandons—He is a God who restores.

Take a moment to pause and reflect—are there areas in your life where guilt or shame have caused you to pull away from God? Maybe you've been carrying the weight of past mistakes, feeling like you're no longer worthy of His presence. The truth is, God already knows your heart, and He's not asking for perfection—He's asking you to come back.

Today, take one small step toward Him. That could be through honest prayer, worship, opening your Bible, or simply sitting quietly in His presence. Let go of anything you’ve been turning to instead of God—those "worthless idols" that Samuel spoke of. Whether it’s fear, control, approval, or distractions, ask the Lord to help you release them.

And finally, don’t let your past disqualify you from serving Him. When we return to God with all our hearts, He not only restores us—He also uses our story to bring hope to others. Dare to hope. Dare to come home.

Prayer:

Lord, I know I’ve failed You. I’ve made choices that pulled me away from Your heart, but I believe You haven’t given up on me. Thank You for Your mercy that meets me even in my mess. Help me turn away from anything that’s taken Your place in my life. I want to serve You with my whole heart. Thank You for choosing me, and for never abandoning me. I dare to hope in You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.