In 1 Samuel 12, Israel finally reaches a moment of relief. The threat has passed, the king has been established, and the people gather in celebration. Yet instead of simply affirming the moment, God speaks—because something deeper still needs attention. Through Samuel, the Lord confronts how fear shaped Israel’s choices, reminds them that he alone has always been their true King, and calls them back to a life of obedience grounded in his covenant faithfulness. This scene doesn’t undo what has happened, but it interprets it, helping God’s people understand both their danger and their hope. It exposes how easily fear can take hold, and how patiently God restores the repentant. As Samuel speaks, the people are not driven away but drawn nearer—invited to trust the God who has never left them and to live again under his good and saving rule.
Josiah has served the Oakridge Bible Chapel family as one of its elders and one of its pastoral staff members since September 2018, before which he ministered as an associate pastor to a local congregation in the Canadian prairies. Josiah's desire is to be used by God to help equip the church for ministry, both while gathered (edification) and while scattered (evangelization). He is married to Patricia, and together they have five children—Jonah, Henry, Nathaniel, Josephine, and Benjamin.
