“But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” 1 Samuel 8:6-7, 9 ESV
In these passages we find Israel at a crossroads. Samuel had judged Israel for many years, but he was growing older. His sons did not follow in the paths of the Lord and the Israelites found themselves wanting a King. This was not a rejection of Samuel but a direct rejection of God. Samuel prayed and God commanded Samuel to obey the people, but to warn them.
Samuel issued the warnings the Lord had commanded. A king would take; he would take your children, he would take your increase, he would take your livelihood. Yet, even with the strong warnings they desired a king like the other nations.
This was a choice for a king and a rejection of THE King. We must also make this decision in our lives daily. Our decision is as grave and as dangerous.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 ESV
The Bible clearly states that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. The “king” of this world is a taker, not a giver. God is a giver! His desire is for us to have life and life more abundantly, but when bow down to the king of this world we will not have that life that He so desires us to have.
Far to often in life we make choices that directly reject the King of Kings, in order to serve our own selfish desires. While we do not have actual Kings to serve, at least in America, we daily have to make a choice.
Today, I pray you have the strength to choose the King of Kings. Reject the temptation to chose temporary fixes, gain and pleasure. Chose Him! Chose to be a follower of the King of Kings.
That Could Preach 