January 11
Straight from the Pastor’s Heart by Dr. Hernes Abante
1 Samuel 8:4-7 - “Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
[5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
[6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
[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.
Samuel, a prophet and a judge in the history of Israel, was famously known as the kingmaker. He played a pivotal role in anointing Saul, the first king of Israel, as well as David, the Shepherd boy who went on to become one of Israel's greatest kings. However, despite his success in guiding the nation, Samuel's personal life had flaws. As a father, he failed to raise his two sons to be faithful to God, following the footsteps of his mentor, Eli. Nevertheless, as a prophet and a judge, he was well-respected and commended by the people.
As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to take over as judges of Israel. However, his sons' bad reputation and his old age led to his rejection by the people of Israel. They demanded a king like the other nations around them, and Samuel realized his time as a judge was ending.
Samuel was confronted by the elders, which made him feel rejected and displeased. He may have felt judged and disrespected, so he turned to the Lord for guidance. The Lord's response may have caught Samuel off guard, but he chose to obey and follow the Lord's instructions. As a result, Samuel anointed Saul as the first king. However, Saul lost his throne to David for disobeying God's commands.
In life, there may come a time when we find ourselves at odds with those in positions of authority. When this happens, it can be tempting to take drastic action and reject them entirely. This is precisely what the children of Israel did when they became disillusioned with God's chosen prophet and judge. In their frustration, they demanded a new leader, driven partly by jealousy of other nations.
Samuel, whom God had chosen to be the leader of the Israelites, was understandably taken aback by this turn of events. God, however, had a plan in mind. He wanted the Israelites to learn an important lesson about faith and trust. So, while he appeared to be granting their demands, he was giving them the king they truly deserved.
The lesson is that we should be careful not to let our emotions rule our decision-making process. Instead of reacting impulsively and judging those in authority over us, we should step back and wait for guidance from the Lord. In the case of the Israelites, their demand for a new leader was not based on any sinful behavior on Samuel's part; it was driven by his age and the sins of his sons. This lesson can be applied to any relationship, whether at home, at work, or within the church.
The following passage is a gentle reminder that God watches over us and is more aware of everything that happens to us. It encourages us to trust and have faith in Him, to respond according to His will, and to remain calm even when we are faced with challenging situations that test our patience. The passage also reminds us to consider God's will in everything we do, especially when making important decisions.
If you find yourself in a situation where your patience is being tested, and you are tempted to react impulsively, the passage advises that you should not rush into making a decision. Instead, it suggests that you wait on the Lord. Waiting, in this context, means staying put and occupying the space where God intends for you to be. The passage emphasizes the importance of patience, trusting in God's plan, and seeking His guidance in all our lives.
Our Prayer for today:
Lord, we are grateful for the lesson you imparted through the story of the children of Israel, who chose a leader without seeking your guidance. Please help us understand that every event tests our faith and maturity. Guide us in all the decisions we make. In any similar situation, may we remain steadfast in our faith and not question your purpose. We trust in you to help us to be faithful to the tasks you set before us. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.