PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Samuel 11-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The evil of asking for a king.” (1 Samuel 12:19)
We were made to rule with God as partners, as God’s royal family.
When humans sinned, they rejected God and chose another way.
And yet amazingly, God graciously gives in to their request.
Having a king was God’s humble accommodation for their sin.
God gives them what they want and lets them experience the consequences.
God uses a human king to show them how bad life is without God.
But God also uses the position of king to rescue and restore humans.
Jesus comes as a son of David (i.e. king) to be a God-like-ruler.
Jesus is God’s humble accommodation to our weakness, to help us.
He shows us how all of us were meant to live, to love and to lead.
He comes to restore God’s royal family, to rule with and like him.
He doesn’t rule like a human king, but like God… “very good!”
To reign with, like and for Jesus, we live as humble, loving servants.
Will I submit to this God-like king, or will I choose my own way?
PRAYER
Lord, our political track record shows how fickle and foolish we are. We need a good ruler, one that rules with God’s character. We need you as king!
“But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.””
It started out so good. Saul submitted to the Lord’s authority. I too need to stay humble and put God first – seek His will. I submit to it. It’s not a question of feeling like it or convenience – rather it is the right thing to do – the most sure thing to do. Human effort on its own may fail – but that which is done with God’s blessing will reap blessing- fruit. Lord help me not lose sight of that – prod me by your Spirit I pray!
Stop and look. Ponder anew what the Lord God has done in my life. Samuel reminded what the Lord God had done – how He had delivered them. He still delivers. I need to reaffirm every day anew that I will serve Him. I am always in His presence and He has and still is walking with me every day. I need to follow His leading. Every day I need to live for Him.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.