Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day two)
Transitions are tough. Tougher still to watch something you have devoted yourself to for a lifetime go in a direction that points anywhere but up. Maybe you can relate. Have you witnessed a career’s worth of work dissipate due to lack of vision by successive leadership? Perhaps you have poured into your children’s spiritual development only to have them recalcitrant and unredeemed. It is certainly enough to make you want to throw your hands in the air. Surely Samuel felt this tension. His life’s devotion to the Lord on behalf of the nation of Israel was seemingly lost on his sons and the people. But how often do we have to be reminded to be responsible for ourselves? We cannot change the minds and hearts of others, we can only be accountable for our response to the world. It may be frustrating, but it is often enough just to handle what is on our plates rather than try to worry about everything else. God is still in control. The people of Israel cried out for a king. God did answer, but certainly not like they expected. This is why on Sunday we will sing “Rejoice, the LORD is King”.
