1 Samuel 12:24-15 If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigns over you continue following the Lord your God. But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.
The elder Samuel had called the people together after Saul’s first victory, and he reminded them of how good God is and how blessed they could be. Even though they got the king they asked for against God’s perfect will, they must still believe the Lord and obey His commandments. Their peace and wellbeing depends on serving only the Lord. If not, the Lord Himself will be against them.
The revealed truth for all of us humans is always this: fear, love, and trust in God above things and the peace of God and the joy of the Lord will rule your hearts and lives. We don’t always see or feel this, but we believe it to be true. When we truly believe God we will love Him and do what He says. And when we sin and fail, we repent, believe the gospel, and the peace of the Kingdom rules our lives. We respond to trouble and adversity by repentance and faith. We respond to God’s goodness and mercy by worship and obedience. Continuing to follow Jesus as Lord is the greatest blessing.