Simple advice from Samuel

In 1 Samuel 12:24-25 (KJV), Samuel warns the Israelites of the dangers of a king. But his words offer a general path of advice for all of us, in all settings. He says,

Fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed.

So much of the bible boils down to this: Serve God with all your heart, ponder his blessings, and avoid sin.

How to respond to God's gifts

In the final chapter of Joshua (chapter 24), God, speaking through Joshua, recounts all the wonderful things he has done for the Israelites (verses 1-13). Then beginning in verse 14, God instructs the Israelites regarding how they are to respond (verse 14, KJV),

Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served ... and serve ye the Lord.

The people, recalling God's works, agree to serve him, to which Joshua responds (verses 22-23, KJV), 

Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him ... Now therefore put away ... the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.

And this is exactly how we are to respond to God. Let us reflect upon the gifts -- including life -- that he has given us. And then let us remove evil influences from our lives and "incline our heart unto God."