And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. I Samuel 8:7
Samuel, a devout servant of God and spiritual leader of Israel, was growing old and his sons were not upright men. Israel wanted no part of weak leadership, but they lost sight of their call to have only one ruler for all ages, God. Instead they looked around and saw other nations of strength and gave credit to their earthly kings. Israel asked Samuel to name a king before he died.
One man being totally subordinate to another, voiding all free will and civil rights, is never a healthy relationship. God did not want this for Israel and warned them of the entrapments that would follow, but He chose to give them what they asked for.
Israel’s request for a king reverberated as a rejections of Samuel’s work. God comforted Samuel with the words above. Long before Samuel, or any man, felt the pain of someone’s sin, that sin has already grieved our Heavenly Father. God has judged it and ruled with perfect justice. Pain IS very personal, as are our reactions. BUT, know that God is profoundly aware of all you suffer, in a more intimate manner than you can ever comprehend. Find power in laying your hurts before Him, as a sacrifice of faith, for He alone can unravel the mess and set things right again.
Love,
Gretchen