Repent, and then what?

1 Samuel tells of the Israelites asking for a king, similar to the government structures of the surrounding nations. That request displeased God for two reasons. First, it showed the Israelites trying to emulate the practices of their neighbors. Second, in showed the Israelites trusting their security to something other than God. Nonetheless, God relents and names Saul as Israel's first king.

Samuel, Israel's spiritual leader at the time, chastises Israel for its sinful request. The Israelites, to their credit, repent (1 Samuel 12:19, NLT),

“Pray to the Lord your God for us, or we will die!” they all said to Samuel. “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.”

Whenever we conform to the sinful ways of this world, or whenever we place our trust in something other than God, we likewise are to repent.

But then what?

Samuel responds (1 Samuel 12:20-21, NLT),

Don’t be afraid. You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!

It does no good to repent, and then continue sinning. We must repent, and then change our ways.