Wk 12 Day 3
1 Samuel 8:18-20
18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
Facts:
- Samuel warned them about the dangers if they persist to ask for a king.
- They (Israelites) were given a choice if they would still want a king.
- Samuel gave them a list of things that the king would do if they persisted.
- They didn't listen and still wanted a king for the sake of becoming like the norm.
- When they had the king, Saul, it was good at first until his pride crept up on him and made dumb choices for the nation (Samuel's word from God has been fulfilled then).
- Human beings like to fit in the norm - we want to be just like everyone else.
- God has his ways of doing things. Imagine what it would've been like if they listened to Samuel's warnings given by God?
- God (last week's devo), does not always operate in "normal" ways. He created each one of us to be unique; to experience different things which are not always the same as others.
- We don't have to follow what others do or operate as they did in their decisions because God has his way of doing things for us, individually.
Trust in God's ways. Heed His warnings - through people, the Word, inner witness. See God's out-of-the-norm work; see that it's always perfect!
Belle:
I've had warnings. I've seen God's out-of-the-norm work in various ways and times. I just need to heed now. To see what God's perfect will bring to my life FOR HIS GLORY. I need to be careful in the small things that might creep up to an act of disobedience. I will remain strong.
Lord, thank you for reminding me again that it is only through You that extraordinary things can happen. I am excited to see what out-of-the-norm things you're about to do in my life. Please prepare me for it and help me to let go of the things in my mind that make me want to be "just like everyone else". You have made me unique for a purpose, and for that, I will give you glory with the way I live my life. Thank you Lord, please strengthen me. In Jesus' name, amen.
