From 1 Samuel 12:7, we have a time where God’s people were to PAUSE and be reminded of all the GREAT things the LORD had done. As the chapter begins, the Prophet Samuel called God’s people together for a “family talk.” As part of the family talk, he takes them down memory lane by REMINDING them of all the GREAT THINGS God had done in the PAST and what He was doing in the PRESENT. Samuel wanted God’s people to CONSIDER the great and miraculous actions that God had done on their behalf!
Place yourself in this Biblical moment. Can you imagine some of the stories Samuel would have told to remind them of what God had done in the PAST? Can you imagine the stories he would have told to remind them of how God was presently working?
Learning from 1 Samuel 12:7, I will tell you it is good now and then to sit quietly and reflect on the GREAT THINGS the LORD has done for you and others!! It is good to review the PAST, bringing up precious memories, and it is good to reflect on the PRESENT. Doing so keeps you aware of what God IS doing today! In doing these actions, I think you will find welling up in you a spirit of rejoicing about the past and the present that will bring about a resolve for the future to keep trusting God.
BTW – Our calendar in the USA provides the opportunity on Thanksgiving Day to practice what we are learning from 1 Samuel 12:7. I have also found that the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is also a great time to sit quietly and reflect and give thanks for all that God has done over the past year. Of course, it is a great time to write out resolutions and new dreams for the coming year, but it should also be a time to look back over the past year before looking forward to a new year. I recommend that this be done both personally and with family.
Maybe today you may look ahead and schedule some time for a 1 Samuel 12:7 “family talk” before the end of the year!
Verse to DATE the Word on December 7 (12/7) is I Samuel 12:7. It says, “Now stand here quietly before the LORD as I, Samuel, remind you of all the great things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors.”
Continue Strong by remembering the GREAT things God has done and is doing!
And remember to DATE The WORD
BTW – Please check out our book, the DATE THE WORD Daily Devotional at https://datetheword.com as well as our 2026 DTW Calendar and our Perpetual Desktop Calendar. Here at Date the Word, we like to say we solved all your Christmas shopping challenges – buy gifts for your family and friends that will give all year long!