It must have been a sad state of affairs for Samuel to see his sons not walking in the ways of the Lord. The scriptures say, “They turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.” (1 Samuel 8:3)

 

This led to the elders asking for Samuel to “make them a king to judge us like all the nations. (Verse 5)”

 

Boy, sin can lead to many more consequences, can’t it?

 

Yet, the Lord tells Samuel to” heed the voice of the people…they do not reject you, but they reject me.”

 

Soon we see God hand over the people’s request, and with that comes many repercussions.

 

The behavior of the King they desired instead of the heavenly King of Kings would cause much labor, toil, relocations, reassignments, and service to him in ways they had not expected. It would even affect their children. Samuel did his duty at warning them in advance, just like the Lord commanded him.

 

Even after the people were forewarned, they refused to obey the voice of Samuel (Verse 19) and demanded a king over them.

 

Let me ask you, dear friend, who is your King? Whom do you serve, exactly?

 

A King of the earthly realm or the King of the heavenly realm? If the former is altogether true, then we are in a place of idolatry and spiritual adultery.

 

You have traded the Almighty God for earthly little gods. There is always a perhaps, an unseen consequence to compromise.

 

My heart is heavy today as I feel a final verdict has been rendered in many similar situations and a sense that Christ is saying, “You will now have it your way.” “They have indeed made their choice.”

 

Christ always offers us ample opportunities, just like the people of Samuel’s day to choose Him. Many chances to turn things around, get priorities straight, and choose today whom you will serve. He warns us again and again. At some point, a consequence follows those choices. It is not His desire nor His decision. The finger points straight to us.

 

I feel a window just closed like it did with those Samuel was speaking to and the dividing sword of God has come down like a heavy gavel in the heavenly courtroom. He has ruled to now “make them a king.”

 

Please understand that with that statement comes a set of unpleasant consequences. Not because God wanted it or that He isn’t good, but because we demanded our own way.