Serving The Only King...

We must always remember that as we choose to serve God, the world will see us as different and reject us. The world wants us to “fit in”, and it doesn’t matter what that costs. As Christians we are to do our best to not go out of our way to “fit in” by compromising our values. I’m not talking about tolerance or humility. When the world rejects us because we follow Jesus and believe what the Bible says is true, it’s because it rejects God first. We are only the by product of that rejection. Serving God makes us different for a reason. It’s to show people that serving God sets us apart. It makes us standout from the rest of the world. It’s supposed to. When people see us as different it sparks a natural curiosity inside them to want to know more. It’s in that pursuit of curiosity that we share the truth of the Gospel with them and God does His “stirring of the soul”. Here in 1 Samuel 8 we get an glimpse of “this world rejecting God” as Samuel is told by God to give Israel a king. Apparently, Israel was discontent with God due to the corrupt behavior of Samuel’s sons being corrupt judges (unlike their father). Israel wanted to be like other nations who had a king to rule over them. What Israel had forgotten was the fact that God was their King, so wanting to be like other nations meant rejection to the King they already had. Being different may bring hardship, rejection, persecution, and loneliness at times, but the rewards of serving the only King we were ever meant to have, has the greatest rewards and sends us on the most incredible adventure we could ever possibly imagine. Love God and people, cling to Him and His Word. It will make you “different” from the masses, but that “different” makes all the difference in the world.

1 As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. 2 Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. 3 But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice.4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. 5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”6 Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. 7 “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want Me to be their king any longer. 8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned Me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. 9 Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.” 1 Samuel 8:1-9

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. 20 “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” 1 Samuel 8:19-20