Old Testament | 1 Samuel 12:19-24

Opening Song:
Our Song in the Night by Michael Van Patter

Lyrics:
In the darkness, can you hear us?
When the night comes, are we alone?
Have you forgotten all of your children?
When we remember you, we groan
But our hearts cannot be silent

O God, be our song in the night
When the light is gone
God, be our hope, be our strength
Be our sheltering place
Our song in the night

We are broken, are we forsaken?
Has your love gone down with the sun?
And your mercy through all history
Is it abandoned and undone?
But our hearts cannot be silent

O God, be our song in the night
When the light is gone
God, be our hope, be our strength
Be our sheltering place
Our song in the night
Our song in the night
Our song in the night
Our song in the night
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Your road, it led me down to the Red Sea
The waters trembled, and you made a way
You raised Your arm and led them to dry land
Lord, will You hear us when we say
That our hearts cannot be silent

O God, be our song in the night
When the light is gone
God, be our hope, be our strength
Be our sheltering place
Our song in the night
Our song in the night
Our song in the night
Our song in the night

Passage:
19 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.” 20 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. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 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. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
(1 Samuel 12:19–24 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
I Need Thee Every Hour (NEED) by Robert Lowry

Reflection Notes:
Each stanza of this familiar hymn was written by Annie Hawks as part of a poem. When she showed the composition to her pastor, Robert Lowry, he added the refrain and set the text to music for their congregation to enjoy. The musical lines always tend upward before falling back down, an apt parallel to the textual pleas reaching up to God.

Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer