Good day dear friends. Prayers continue for Don Chapman who this morning at 7 finds out what procedure/treatment he needs for his chest pains. Prayers also for Mrs. Carol Price, wife of retired pastor, Rev. Bob Price of San Antonio. She will be undergoing surgery.
Our text for today comes from 1 Samuel 8: 4-20 and 11:14-15: 4 Fed up, all the elders of Israel got together and confronted Samuel at Ramah. 5 They presented their case: "Look, you're an old man, and your sons aren't following in your footsteps. Here's what we want you to do: Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else." 6 When Samuel heard their demand - "Give us a king to rule us!" - he was crushed. How awful! Samuel prayed to God. 7 God answered Samuel, "Go ahead and do what they're asking. They are not rejecting you. They've rejected me as their King. 8 From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they've been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they're doing it to you. 9 So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they're in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they're likely to get from a king." 10 So Samuel told them, delivered God's warning to the people who were asking him to give them a king. 11 He said, "This is the way the kind of king you're talking about operates. He'll take your sons and make soldiers of them - chariotry, cavalry, infantry, 12 regimented in battalions and squadrons. He'll put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury. 13 He'll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks. 14 He'll conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends. 15 He'll tax your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy. 16 Your prize workers and best animals he'll take for his own use. 17 He'll lay a tax on your flocks and you'll end up no better than slaves. 18 The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don't expect God to answer." 19 But the people wouldn't listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We will have a king to rule us! 20 Then we'll be just like all the other nations. Our king will rule us and lead us and fight our battles." 11: 14 Come, let's go to Gilgal and there reconsecrate the kingship." 15 They all trooped out to Gilgal. Before God, they crowned Saul king at Gilgal. And there they worshiped, sacrificing peace offerings. Saul and all Israel celebrated magnificently. (The Message)
It's sad for ourselves when we make decisions based on whatever everyone else is doing. Growing up most of us we received instructions from our parents about how to make the best choices and what things we should avoid or not do; yet, we still chose based on what everybody else was doing. Such was the case with Israel. Ruled by God in a form of government known as theocracy, the judge chosen and called by God sat and spoke on God's behalf. God has said Israel should be a light to the other nations, but they chose instead to have a form of government like their neighbors with a king. The recent news has been from England celebrating silver jubilee of Queen Elizabeth and I wondered why we still had monarchs in some governments even as figureheads. The judge/prophet at that time, Samuel, who had personally served God faithfully (except in the area of parenting) finds himself being removed from office and asked by God to list the things that the nation would have to give up and assume if they did go with a king. The first was to have a military conscription of both males and females (A "draft" like in the old days of the USA). The second would be taxation to fund this new form of government and with just those two things I think most reasonable people would say, "Okay, you've convinced me! Never mind, we'll do fine without a king!" But no, the cries grew louder and they wanted a king! They chose a tall, handsome man to lead them. It didn't matter at the time that this handsome king would not be much of a king.
Why do we still insist on our way versus what we know to be God's better way? Why, knowing the consequences of some of our decisions or choices do we still choose what is wrong or harmful for us? This story stands as that which should speak to us about listening and paying attention to God in our everyday life. Not all that appears sugarcoated is best for us. We need to stay connected with God.
PRAYER: May our choices and decisions be guided by You. We are tempted and attracted to things like everyone else, but help us to remember we as Christians are still called to be not only light, but salt for the earth. May it be so. We pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
