Be careful what you ask for pt3

1st Samuel 8:19-22

19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the Lord. 22 So the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.”

And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”

Quickword: Be careful what you ask for pt3

This morning we complete this brief Quickword series from 1st Samuel chapter 8. This narrative from my perspective is a lesson for America to heed at this time in the nations history. One of the two political parties has seemingly decided that it is willing to follow one person regardless of their stated intentions against the least among us. Like the narrative in this text they have decided to forsake God and follow a king. I know the United States is a democracy, yet before our very eyes even prior to the attacks of January 6 against the capital we witnessed the eroding and attacks on the structures and organizations that make up our imperfect democracy. There were attacks against the intelligence community, attacks against the judiciary, attacks against senior military leaders, attacks against voting rights and elections; yet there seems to be a need for many to want a king. Be careful what you ask for. In the text today Samuel is instructed by God to heed the voice of the people and give them a king. Be careful what you ask for. As a nation we seem to be headed down this path. Beloved it, I truly believe that God is sovereign and has a perfect will for our individual lives. I also believe that God has a permissive will and allows humanity to follow after the desires of their hearts. If the country continues on the current course, we are headed into a place that we have not been before. My spouse and I have a saying that has become a mantra in our lives simply being you can choose your sins but you cannot choose your consequences. Be careful what you ask for….

Let’s pray: Eternal God our Father, I come before you this morning lamenting the state of our nation. Seemingly we have decided to seek the foolishness of man and forsake the wisdom of God. God I ask even now regardless of what man made decisions and outcomes of elections that will come our way this year that you continue to cover the children of God under your mighty hand of protection. I pray that you cover us with the blood Jesus, for we confess and believe that the blood still works. God forgive us even now of our sins in the name of Jesus. Amen