June 12, 2020

BIBLE READING: I Samuel 8
1 Samuel 8:7
“And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”

This is probably one of the most cliché sayings, “Be careful what you ask for.” That could not be truer for this chapter. For so many years, Israel was back and for with their relationship with the Lord. It was this cycle of turning away to idols, being oppressed by another country, being rescued, turning back, and then staring all over. Finally, God allows them to get wat they want to teach them a lesson. He even forewarns them of what was to come. While there were some great kings, there were many that led them through so much heart ache. I wonder what it would have been like for Israel if they would have listened to the Lord. How much more they would have been blessed, and how much they would have missed out on. Through all this though, we can still see God’s mercy and grace. Though God has been rejected, He still uses a king. This make me think of Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” I like this passage because it reminds me of the importance of God’s will. I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace as we go along in life, but we should not forget the importance of listenings to Him and what He has for our life. Often, it can be so easy to allow our own desires to get in the way. That could keep us from what God really wants and the benefits of true blessings He has for us. Let’s rest in His ever-trusting hands as guides us day by day.

David Fulp II