Things for men to consider.

God: 

Deuteronomy 4:39 “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.”

Moses urged the greatness, glory, and goodness of God.  Did we consider what a God he is with whom we have to do, we should surely make conscience of our duty to him, and not dare to sin against him.  Shall we forsake a merciful God, who will never forsake us, if we are faithful unto him?  Whither can we go? Let us be held to our duty by the bonds of love, and prevailed with by the mercies of God to cleave to him.  Moses urged God's authority over them, and their obligations to him.  In keeping God's commandments they would act wisely for themselves.  The fear of the Lord that is wisdom.  Those who enjoy the benefit of Divine light and laws ought to support their character for wisdom and honor, that God may be glorified thereby.  Those who call upon God shall certainly find him within call, ready to give an answer of peace to every prayer of faith. 

All these statutes and judgments of the Divine law are just and righteous, above the statutes and judgments of any of the nations.  What they saw at Mount Sinai, gave an earnest of the Day of Judgment, in which the Lord Jesus shall be revealed in flaming fire.  They must also remember what they heard at Mount Sinai.  God manifests himself in the works of the creation, without speech or language, yet their voice is heard, Ps. 19:1,3; but to Israel he made himself known by speech and language, condescending to their weakness. The rise of this nation was quite different from the origin of all other nations.  See the reasons of free grace; we are not beloved for our own sakes, but for Christ's sake.  Moses urged the certain benefit and advantage of obedience.  This argument he had begun with, Deut. 4:1, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land; and this he concludes with, Deut. 4:40 that it may go well with thee and with thy children after thee.  He reminds them that their prosperity would depend upon their piety.  Apostasy from God would undoubtedly be the ruin of their nation.  He foresees their revolt from God to idols. Those and those only, shall find God to their comfort, who seek him with all their heart.  Afflictions engage and quicken us to seek God; and, by the grace of God working with them, many are thus brought back to their right mind.  When these things are come upon thee, turn to the Lord thy God, for thou seest what comes of turning from him.  Let all the arguments be laid together, and then say, if religion has not reason on its side.  None cast off the government of their God, but those who first abandon the understanding of a man.

God’s goodness: 

1 Samuel 12:24 “But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has for you.”

At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than God, or Samuel; promising themselves more from an arm of flesh, than from the arm of God, or from the power of prayer. Could their prince command such forces as the prophet could do by his prayers?

It startled them very much. Some will not be brought to see their sins by any gentler methods than storms and thunders. They entreat Samuel to pray for them. Now they see their need of him whom shortly before they slighted. Thus, many who will not have Christ to reign over them, would yet be glad to have him intercede for them, to turn away the wrath of God. Samuel aims to confirm the people in their religion. Whatever we make a god of, we shall find it deceive us. Creatures in their own places are good; but when put in God's place, they are vain things. We sin if we restrain prayer, and in particular if we cease praying for the church.

They only asked him to pray for them; but he promises to do more, to teach them. He urges that they were bound in gratitude to serve God, considering what great things he had done for them; and that they were bound in interest to serve him, considering what he would do against them, if they should still do wickedly. Thus, as a faithful watchman, he gave them warning, and so delivered his own soul. If we consider what great things the Lord hath done for us, especially in the great work of redemption, we can neither want motive, encouragement, nor assistance in serving him.