by In 1 Samuel 12:19, Israel wanted what the world had, a king. Having a king was obviously not a sin, or else God would never have endorsed it nor anointed a king for them in 12:14 God allowed them to have their king but warned them in 12:20-21 to remain subject to their heavenly King. However, it wasn’t long before they put their earthly king above God, making their worldly king the authority over their godliness. Israel’s problem was that they wanted the best of both worlds ─ God’s protection and the world’s vain things. They thought they could handle the world, but it wasn’t long before they were far from God’s protection. Regardless of how far they drifted from God, though, they were still commanded to be subject to both their heavenly and earthly kings.
Today, how far from God have we ended up? We want the pleasureful things of the world, not necessarily to cross our God because we want God and His protections as well. However, like when a child is told “NO,” we do as the child and stick our finger out to see why, with no real intent to defy our parents as much as just to see “WHY?” Then, just like a rat trap, the world and the god of this world snap down on us with the tightest death grip. Then, just like Israel, regardless of the decisions we make in this life, regardless of God answering our foolish prayers, we have no choice but to remain subject to both our heavenly and earthly kings.
Samuel knew there was hope for Israel getting back to their God, outlined in 1 Samuel 12:24. By these points, we too can GET BACK TO GOD while we enjoy this earth that God has put us upon.
- Get back to FEARING God – “Only fear the Lord”
- Get back to SERVING God – “serve him in truth with all your heart”
- Get back to THANKING God – “consider how great things he hath done for you”
Let’s stop and in the quietness of our heart and list the many things God has blessed us with and recommit ourselves back to the work of the Lord — some earthly blessings are health and wealth, and heavenly blessings are salvation and sanctification. Let’s get back to being firmly submitted to Almighty God!
