But when you were afraid of Nahash, the king of Ammon, you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though the LORD your God was already your king.
1 Samuel 12:12
Samuel is addressing the people of Israel. The people wanted a human king – just like the other nations around them had. But they had the Lord their God as their king.
The people rejected God as their king and wanted a human king. God instructed Samuel earlier in the book to explain what a human king would do to the people – all bad. Yet… the people still wanted a king.
When I read this, I thought – wow, that is a stupid move. Straight up stupid to ask for a human king when you already have God as your king. Why would they do that?
But then the Holy Spirit enlightened me….
The people were afraid of the king of Ammon, and sought the Lord asking for a king. They wanted to feel protected by a human king. They didn’t choose to trust the Lord to protect them. They didn’t trust God.
How often do I do the same thing? I ask God to bless me with financial prosperity so I don’t have to deal with a difficult job/boss/insert problem here. What am I doing when I pray this?
I’m doing the EXACT same thing as the people did.
I’m asking God (who controls ALL things) to give me X to solve my problem Y. I’m asking God to fix a problem the way I think it should be done. Not asking God to solve the problem His way. I’m asking God for someone/something else to help me. I’m asking for Him to give me human king when I already have God as my King.
Ouch! That is straight up stupid! I can say it, I do stupid things too! I think it is human nature, to react/act foolishly when we are afraid. When we don’t have our eyes fixed on Jesus – continually. We see what is around us and we panic.
I repent of asking God to fix my problems my way. I ask God for His help to resolve/fix/improve/get rid of the issues I face and I will let Him do it the way He desires….and according to His timeline.
At least in this moment as I write this, I choose not to be an idiot, not to be stupid by putting my trust in Jesus.
Most importantly, Jesus loves us you and me even when we do foolish things.
Thank you Jesus for your mercy and for teaching us through the example of the people of Israel. Even with their example to learn from, I still do the same thing. I’m sorry! Make me aware of this Lord, help me to trust You fully.
P.S. Lord, I am not calling your original chosen nation stupid – just that they did stupid and idiotic things – and I do them too!
Trust God and ask for help from The Source – Jesus.
Happy Tuesday.
Your brother alongside you in the trenches,
David
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