1 Samuel 8:1-22
As Samuel continued to be groomed and trained as a prophet under Eli (until he died), the Israelite army began to suffer defeat. The Philistines went to war against them and conquered them, capturing the Ark of the Covenant in the process. Apparently, they thought the power of the Ark was in the physical object because they took it with them thinking it would protect them in battle as it had the Israelites previously.
Little did they know, but soon learned, the power was not in the object (place, person, etc.), but the God that it represented. (That's something to think about.) Before long, God sent plagues among them over the period of about seven months. After being overcome by tumors and rats, they had enough and returned the Ark of the Lord to the Israelites in Kiriath-jearim. But the Israelites still felt the Lord's absence because, as usual, they had turned to idols and false gods.
So, Samuel told them to get rid of their idols and told them all to gather together at Mizpah so he could pray for them. It was here that he also became their judge. As they were praying and worshiping, the Philistines came to attack. But, because the Israelites were repentant, even as they feared further destruction at the hand of their enemies, God spoke. His voice from heaven caused so much confusion among the Philistines, that the Israelites were able to defeat them and run them out of the land.
And that brings us to the current chapter, where Samuel is much older now and his sons are also judges. Of course, Israelite generations never turn out quite like their predecessors, so Samuel's sons abused their position. This caused an issue for everyone, so the elders approached Samuel about appointing a king to rule over them. Now, it's understandable to not want to be led by corrupt leaders, but when God has a plan, it is best to follow through with it and not go off on your own. More to follow on that point in the lessons to come.
But, the elders insisted, so Samuel prayed about it. He knew that having a king was a bad idea because God wanted to lead them directly through judges, so he did what any suitable priest, prophet and judge would do. He asked God how he should proceed. God told him to give them their king, but warn them that the grass would not be greener in that field. Even after the warning, the elders still wanted the king, so Samuel did as the Lord said and went about finding the Israelites a king.
When things get rough in life, that is not the time to abandon God. God promised never to abandon us, so we can be sure that he won't. However, he may allow us to experience the consequences of our decisions and behavior. There is no time in this life or the next when our plan will be better than God's. Have you made decisions or done things that are contrary to what God has instructed you to do? Have you neglected to seek God's guidance on a major issue altogether? Things may go smoothly for a while and seem right, but if it is not God's plan, it will eventually crumble. Heed God's warnings, no matter how hard or painful it seems to be.
Thank you, God, for your grace and mercy that keeps us from feeling the pain that our behavior sometimes warrants. Thank you, also, for your justice and discipline. If we never suffer for our sins, we would lose sight of their reality and take your love for granted. Help us, Lord, to be better servants in your kingdom. Help us to always know that your plan is the best one, even when it doesn't seem that way in our eyes. Strengthen our faith, so we can follow you in complete obedience despite our circumstances. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
As Samuel continued to be groomed and trained as a prophet under Eli (until he died), the Israelite army began to suffer defeat. The Philistines went to war against them and conquered them, capturing the Ark of the Covenant in the process. Apparently, they thought the power of the Ark was in the physical object because they took it with them thinking it would protect them in battle as it had the Israelites previously.
Little did they know, but soon learned, the power was not in the object (place, person, etc.), but the God that it represented. (That's something to think about.) Before long, God sent plagues among them over the period of about seven months. After being overcome by tumors and rats, they had enough and returned the Ark of the Lord to the Israelites in Kiriath-jearim. But the Israelites still felt the Lord's absence because, as usual, they had turned to idols and false gods.
So, Samuel told them to get rid of their idols and told them all to gather together at Mizpah so he could pray for them. It was here that he also became their judge. As they were praying and worshiping, the Philistines came to attack. But, because the Israelites were repentant, even as they feared further destruction at the hand of their enemies, God spoke. His voice from heaven caused so much confusion among the Philistines, that the Israelites were able to defeat them and run them out of the land.
And that brings us to the current chapter, where Samuel is much older now and his sons are also judges. Of course, Israelite generations never turn out quite like their predecessors, so Samuel's sons abused their position. This caused an issue for everyone, so the elders approached Samuel about appointing a king to rule over them. Now, it's understandable to not want to be led by corrupt leaders, but when God has a plan, it is best to follow through with it and not go off on your own. More to follow on that point in the lessons to come.
But, the elders insisted, so Samuel prayed about it. He knew that having a king was a bad idea because God wanted to lead them directly through judges, so he did what any suitable priest, prophet and judge would do. He asked God how he should proceed. God told him to give them their king, but warn them that the grass would not be greener in that field. Even after the warning, the elders still wanted the king, so Samuel did as the Lord said and went about finding the Israelites a king.
When things get rough in life, that is not the time to abandon God. God promised never to abandon us, so we can be sure that he won't. However, he may allow us to experience the consequences of our decisions and behavior. There is no time in this life or the next when our plan will be better than God's. Have you made decisions or done things that are contrary to what God has instructed you to do? Have you neglected to seek God's guidance on a major issue altogether? Things may go smoothly for a while and seem right, but if it is not God's plan, it will eventually crumble. Heed God's warnings, no matter how hard or painful it seems to be.
Thank you, God, for your grace and mercy that keeps us from feeling the pain that our behavior sometimes warrants. Thank you, also, for your justice and discipline. If we never suffer for our sins, we would lose sight of their reality and take your love for granted. Help us, Lord, to be better servants in your kingdom. Help us to always know that your plan is the best one, even when it doesn't seem that way in our eyes. Strengthen our faith, so we can follow you in complete obedience despite our circumstances. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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