When A Brother Sins - Samuel

“As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.”

1 Samuel 12:23

In 1975, an unemployed schoolteacher rushed into the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, approached Rembrandt’s famous painting The Night Watch, and cut several zigzag slashes in the canvas.

Although the man had badly damaged the painting, the museum could not simply write off the masterpiece and throw it out. Museum officials called in the most qualified experts to painstakingly restore it. The painting still displays some visual evidence of the damage, but The Night Watch has reclaimed its place on display.

We may sometimes feel tempted to write off a brother in Christ who has made a mess of his faith and has hurt himself and those close to him in the process. The Bible teaches us to pray for such a man and do everything we can to restore him. The prophet and judge Samuel gives an excellent example of how to do this.

Samuel knew that the people of Israel had made a foolish and ungodly choice. Against his stern warnings, they had insisted on a flesh-and-blood king to rule them, so God acceded to their wishes and gave them Saul.

Samuel felt grieved and disappointed, but he didn’t just write off the people God had called him to lead. Instead, he took the following steps:

• He spoke the truth about the people’s sin.
• He encouraged them to continue growing in their relationship with God.
• He warned them not to sink further into sin.
• He reaffirmed God’s love and commitment toward them.
• He pledged to continue praying for and encouraging them (see 1 Samuel 12:20-23).

Samuel refused to give up on his people even though they had made some wrong choices. How can you follow his example when someone close to you—even a member of your own family—stumbles and falls?

When someone close to you gives in to temptation, don’t give up on him or her. Instead, follow Samuel’s example and take the necessary steps to restore that person.