Hmmm, yesterday the scriptures flowed. Today, there are so many rich lessons to learn, but in all different directions. What do I write? I keep asking God for clarity on the direction He wants me to type, but nothing yet. Maybe as I type He will show me.
Anyhow…In 1 Samuel 8:10-22, The Israelites wanted a king for themselves like everyone else. Samuel talked to God about it and God told Sam that the people were not rejecting him, but Him. God said to give them what they want, but here is what will happen (a long list was given). Samuel went back to the people and instructed them that if they are given a king, all these things will happen. He proceeded to tell them of a long list of selfish things the king will have ensued just for him through them. Some of the things sound like they are giving some of the Israelites a bit of power and prestige, but it is all really for the exaltation of the new king. The people will give and give of themselves and their belonging to the king. They will all become slaves and then will cry out to God. The problem is, and God warned them, He won’t answer their cry at that time. (God is on His own time-frame.)
What happened? “But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” (verses 19 and 20) In other words, “Yea, yea, we hear you and we know that bad stuff will happen, but we want to be like everyone else. No matter the cost. Give us want WE want.”
Ouch! Again they go against God’s instruction and they will pay a price.
Can we please just learn from the Israelites and their mistakes? When God clearly says that something or someone is not right for us and that “this and that” will happen if we go and do what “we” want, just flee! Run the other direction. Who cares if “everyone else is doing it”. It may not be right for you. God has a much better plan for you than you could ever imagine.
Psalm 75:2, “God says, “I have chosen a time for judgment, and I will judge fairly.”
Ecclesiastes 3:17, “I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”
Habakkuk 2:3, “This message is about a special time in the future. This message is about the end, and it will come true. Just be patient and wait for it. That time will come; it will not be late.”
Acts 1:6-8, “Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6, “There is only one God, and there is only one way that people can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who as a mangave himself to pay for everyone to be free. This is the message that was given to us at just the right time.”
Have a fabulous Friday! Do things God’s way, not your way.
(I believe I’ll save the rest of the thoughts from the other scriptures for later. Thanks for reading. Blessings to you.)
May 18