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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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1 Samuel 10:19
“But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, ‘No, set a King over us’”
They had already said, “No, we want a king over us. Then we will be like all other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles” (1 Samuel 8:19-20).
Did they need a king? No. Did God want them to have a king? No. Had they won battles before? Yes, many. So what was the issue? “Then we will be like all the other nations.”
Samuel was very distraught when the people demanded a king because he thought that they had rejected him. As God pointed out - they had actually done worse than that. They had rejected God as their leader. There was never a sadder comment than “you have now rejected your God.”
God had been their Deliverer, their Provider, their Protector, their Security and their Promise-keeper. He had never left them although the people had so often left Him. He had remained faithful. He had promised them blessing upon blessing wherever they went if they would just be obedient to Him.
Over the years they had followed, given up, followed, given up, followed and given up. The good times had been when they followed Him; the bad times were always when they rejected God and His ways and went their own way.
God had looked over all the nations of the world and chosen Israel. He could have chosen any of them but He had specifically chosen Israel to be His special “treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5). He wanted a people to be especially His. Totally different from all others - so that they would stand out as His and as a living testimony to His love, grace and faithfulness.
It happened. Time and time again we get glimpses that the other nations were terrified or jealous of Israel because their God was living and victorious. Yet the people wanted to “be like all the other nations.” The king was incidental.
How like so many Christians today. They want to be just like everybody else. They don’t want to be different and to stand out. They want to do exactly the same as everyone else but also have a ‘ticket’ to Heaven.
God is still looking for a ‘set apart’ people who will delight in being His special “treasured possession.” Those who will stand out from the rest, as a testimony to the goodness and love of God.
They chose a king instead of God. God through Samuel warned them of what a king would do but they still went ahead. Over time, all the kings failed and the position of ‘Monarch’ passed away until the time when the King of kings will come and take up the office that only He can fill - for He is the spotless Lamb of God (see Revelation 21:11-16).
Can I challenge you? Do you want to be like all the others, or do you want to stand out for Jesus?
Please - be and stay set apart for God and His King, Jesus.
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