Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day seven)
“Appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” (8:5) Serious mistake. Common. Wanting to be like “everyone else”. An expression of insecurity, really. Unconscious (and false) thought that other people are “more together”. If I could only have what they have or live where they live, things would be better. The problem? Israel already had a king! Just not one they could see. God was their king. Had been every step of the way. Present. Powerful. Competent. Compassionate. Wise. Better leadership than they would ever get from a person! But the people of God couldn’t see what they had, their unique calling, their opportunity to “example” this spiritual life to all others. Their eyes were too focused on other nations. Do I do this? Do I chase after possessions and security, just like everyone else? Do I recognize the unique opportunity I have to walk with the Spirit?
A father’s failure?
RE Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day six) “But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.” (8:3) I wonder. Did Samuel ever ask himself, “What did I do wrong?” Did he ever feel guilty or responsible for his sons’ character or choices? The scripture suggests no such blame. None. Faithful parents can have unfaithful children. The prophet Ezekiel warns us against typical logic. The old proverb was, “The fathers eat sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge.” In other words, the father’s choices are felt in the life of the child–for good or for bad. Not always so in spiritual things. ” ‘As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘you are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son. The soul who sins will die.’ ” (Ezekiel 18:2-4)
New hearts needed
RE Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day five) “As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me. . .so they are doing to you.” (8:8) No hiding from it. Who I am, the true condition of my heart, will eventually show up in every relationship. If I am stubborn and independent with God, I will be the same toward people. If I love God, I will love others. (see 1 John 4:20) The “real me” eventually comes out. When Samuel was deeply disappointed with the people of Israel, God had to remind him. They were only doing to Samuel–ignoring his counsel, following their own desires–what they had been doing to God for years. Good reminder. The true goal of the gospel is a changed heart. “Search me, O God, and know my heart. . .lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Until our hearts change toward God, our relationships with others will also be unchanged.
Longsuffering
Re:Verse passage: 1 Samuel 8:1-10; 12:1-5 (day four)
What does the term ‘patient’ or ‘longsuffering’ mean to you? In our fast-food society and mindset, ‘to be patient’ means we give them two or, maybe, three chances to do it right before we react. In 8:7-8, God says, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—“ God had endured the continued rebellion of Israel for nearly 400 years! His focus was on His divine plan to restore mankind from the ravages of sin…not on the perceived loss of a ‘right’. Do we keep our eyes on God’s divine plan? Are we looking at the events of the world, the relationships around us, the pressing problems of the day? God has a plan…let’s discern where we fit into it, in our small slice of history!
Will
Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel chapters 8 and 12 (day three)
“And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” God gave the people what they wanted. Isn’t that how we often define the success of prayer? Consider the words of C.S. Lewis: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened. ”
Transitions
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”.
Not about you
Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day one)
“But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.” (8:6) Our RE Verse passage this week points our attention to Samuel at the end of his career. Like many Senior Adults, Samuel struggles with value and despair issues as he faces this important life transition. When the elders of the nation express a desire for a “change”–from prophet leadership to a king (government which would not involve his sons) he was tempted to take it personally. His next move was very wise. Rather than react, he prayed. God’s wisdom? “This is not about you.” “You will worry less about what people think of you, when you realize how seldom they do”–Jane Witcher. We are all wise to interpret our disappointments with similar perspective. Our children, our friends, our family. . they are not doing things “to us”. The issue that matters is relationship to God.
The death of the “Son of David”
Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22,30-37, 2 Samuel 14:21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day seven)
David’s cry touches my heart. “My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you” (18:33) I am certain he was sincere. Death is often easier than life–preferred over the burden that God requires us to carry. The crown, however, belonged on David’s head. Not Absalom’s. David had to survive so that Christ could come. The true “Son of David” would also die. Not in rebellion against authority, but in submission to it. Not in an attempt to gain glory for himself, but in an act of obedience that would bring “many sons to glory” Strange irony. David preferred his own death if his son might live. God planned for His Son to die so that others might have life. David’s assignment was to survive. Christ’s assignment was to die. God’s deep, unbending grace requires courage and submission of us all. Not my will but thine be done.
Too trusting
Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22, 30-37, 2 Samuel 14: 21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day six)
“The king said to him, ‘Go in peace.’ So he (Absalom) went to Hebron.” (15:9) He should have known better. David knew his own heart–how prone to sin it was, how weak when not held accountable. He should have been more vigilant with his sons. Should have questioned Amnon more carefully. “Now why is it that only Tamar can help you feel better, and why does she need to come to your bedroom?” More cautious with Absalom’s plans. “Now, what is happening in Hebron?” Sometimes I feel guilty for being suspicious, careful with others. (As if it is a character flaw to not trust people easily, automatically) John 2 makes an interesting observation about Jesus. “He was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew what was in all men.” Jesus knew. It is possible to be too trusting. We are to be as wise as serpents AND as gentle as doves.
Authority challenged
Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22, 30-37, 2 Samuel 14:21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day five)
“As soon as you hear the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ” (15:10) It is an old story. Young man. . .thinks he is ready for leadership. . .impatient. . .willing to do whatever to have his opportunity. . .even betray his father, challenge God’s choice. He has not, like his father, graduated from the school of patience. Absalom is a fool. For years, David has been off-balanced by his own sin and resultant loss of moral authority. He has been too lenient. Too trusting. At the end however, he rises to fight for the place that God has given him. Was he conflicted to do so? Yes. Did he summon up the courage to fight? Yes. The loser was Absalom. “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.” (John 3:27) “Wait on the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)