Your Daily Devotional for February 19, 2006

February 19, 2006

 

Following the Wrong King

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.”

 

1 Samuel 8:4-6

 

First Samuel chapters eight through twelve record for us some of the saddest days in the history of Israel. From the nation’s birth, Jehovah God had been the leader of the Israelites. Now the nation no longer wanted to be led by the Almighty God. The elders gathered to meet with Samuel the prophet and demanded that a king rule over them.

 

How this must have displeased the Lord. Verse seven says, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” God alone wanted to be the object of their worship. He alone was worthy to be praised as their Lord and King.

 

Over time the elders of the people began to follow the wrong king, and they forsook the One who had been faithful to guide and deliver them through their many hardships. What caused them to make the wrong choice? Why did they turn their back on the King of Heaven?

 

One reason for their wrong choice was their complaints about Samuel’s family. Here was  all kinds of immorality and wickedness. My friend, we will all be disappointed by a mentor or his family, but that is never a legitimate reason to abandon godly principles.

 

Another reason the Israelites followed the wrong king was because they compared themselves to other nations. Paul told the Corinthian church that “Comparing themselves with themselves they are not wise.” God is our standard. He should be the focus of all those who claim Him as their King.

 

The Israelites were also confused about who they rejected. They were not just rejecting the prophets, they were turning their back on the God of Israel. First Samuel 10:19 says, “And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us.”

 

Israel followed the wrong king, and because of their decision, they lost the blessings and empowerment of God. Many of us today are choosing the wrong king. We are following those  people and philosophies that are in opposition to God and His Word. Our lives will only be blessed and fulfilled when we follow the one and only King of Kings. May I ask you this question today—Who are you choosing to follow?

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