1 Samuel 12:20-21 (NASB) New American Standard Bible 20 Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Indeed, you must not turn aside, for then you would go after useless things which cannot benefit or save, because they are useless.
Samuel is speaking to the Israelites after appointing Saul king over Israel. The people are fearful because they had turned away from the Lord and served idols, see 1 Samuel 12”10. Yet the Lord was willing to deliver them.
The term idol according to Strongs Concordance states “Scripture strongly advises against the following of idols other than God. Idolatry, in this sense, means abandoning the way of God for another aim. The Bible says we should put living in a righteous manner above all other pursuits of the flesh and mind. Learn more from our list of Bible verses about idolatry below!” https://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?s=references&q=idol
Idolatry can take many forms. The key being that whatever the idol is takes precedence to a person’s desire to first follow the living God, YAWEH. The person seeks the idol over God.
Idols can be money, alcohol, drugs, sex, pursuit of a career, pursuit of a person to name a few. It is anything that takes God from being number one in your life. Idolatry can bring lack of peace in life.
Are you seeking something other than God that you think will bring peace and fulfillment in your life? Where are you today? What are you seeking or following? Do you have peace or anxiety?
Psalm 103:2-5 (NASB) states “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Iniquities means sin, God forgives your sins. The will of God for your life is goodness and peace.
If you are in bondage today, Gods will is to set you free.