1 Samuel 8: 1-9
Matthew 6:33
“The LORD said to Samuel, “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.” 1 Samuel 8:7 (my emphasis)
“When the government fears the people, it is liberty. When the people fear the government, it is tyranny.” – Thomas Paine
There was a time in Israel’s history, whereby, God spoke to His people through prophets. The Lord provided counsel and spoke directly through His anointed. His prophets received the counsel of God’s Holy Spirit for direction and protection for His people.
God was demonstrating His Holiness and developing His people into a righteous nation as a witness to the rest of the world. But, even though His people witnessed His faithfulness and provisions, they soon rejected Him, opting instead for a King like the rest of the nations. And they suffered from those who ruled over them. 1 Samuel 8: 1-9
During the time when the Israelites were threatened by the invading Philistine army, they called out to God for help. God spoke through His prophet Samuel and told them to stop trusting in foreign gods, and to return to the Lord with all their heart:
“So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”
1 Samuel 7:3
As a Christian nation, we once trusted in Jesus Christ. We have the inscription on our currency, “In God we Trust”. But in our apostasy, we have embraced other gods, and have carved out for ourselves a king to rule over us. Our desire to do our own thing is making us merchandise ( 2 Peter 2:3) of the corrupt and other nations. Therefore, the boundary of God’s protection is left low.
Many have abandoned the Word of the Lord and follow their own ways: Proverbs 14:12
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25
God came in the flesh of Jesus Christ and lived among us (Immanuel) to give us an abundant life. But we did not recognize Him as our King and killed the One Whom God had sent. But God in His infinite mercy and plan made Jesus Christ the sacrifice for our sins.
Acts 15: 3-20, Isaiah 53
Anyone turning to Him in repentance is saved from the final enemy which is death and enters the eternal Kingdom of God where Jesus Christ reigns. Revelation 19:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16
For all God’s provision is found only in Jesus Christ:
Jesus said: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33
There are many of us who recognize our country is at a crossroads. +. We will have to decide whom we will serve. We can either carve out for ourselves another king or follow the only King God has anointed – Jesus Christ.
For those of us who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior there is no other King.
Revelation 18:4, 1 John 1:9
God’s Promise:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
God’s Warning:
“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4: 1-7