Reading
SAA Notes
Israel has been told by the Lord that it is all right to ask for a king – Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The trouble is in the manner of their request. They demand of Samuel a king. They are like the people who tried to force Jesus to be king! The Lord gives them a king after their own heart – Saul.
SJA Notes
* God Above, be merciful to us, for in You our souls take refuge – In the shadow of Your wings we will take refuge, until the storms of destruction pass by.
“And they said, ‘No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.'”
Why does Israel want to be like other nations?
The Almighty God has chosen them, set them apart, given them His love and shown them His mercy.
God has already shown them He will fight their battles and go out before them and give them the victory.
What was Israel thinking to demand a king like the nations around them?
As with Israel, so with us.
We so often seek after the leadership of the world, the accolades that come from fame and fortune, the wisdom of the crowds wallowing in unbelief.
And yet we, God’s people, have a king like no other.
Our KING is Jesus, Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man – The KING of kings!
Do we want to be like the unbelieving people around us instead of following Jesus?
Do we want our church leaders to be like those of the world instead of seeking God’s face?
Let us be encouraged to remember the true king, born of promise into this world, fully God and fully man.
* Father God,
Thank You for sending Yourself, Jesus, You in the Person of the Son, into this world to save us.
Thank You that He is the true king, like no other.
Please mark us as an obedient people, who listen to their king.
Amen.