Scripture
Our verse for today comes from 1 Samuel 8:18, ” And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day. “
Background
How good are you at taking advice? Probably not as good as you are at giving it. For being something that we tend to give or receive fairly frequently, advice is not a subject that we are particularly well-trained in. I don’t remember ever seeing any classes offered on how to give advice, and no one ever sits you down and explains what to look for in the advice of someone else. We basically toss it out as we do the rest of our comments, and we heed it based on some preconceived notions or gut feelings that we already have. The book of Proverbs is filled with advice and instruction on how to follow it, but who of us is honestly looking for opportunities to apply the ancient wisdom from several millennia ago? Perhaps it was this sort of disinterest and lack of insight that led the Israelites to completely rebuff the warnings and advice that God gave them through Samuel. They had looked around them and seen the other nations thriving (so- called), nations who were led by kings rather than God. And so their gut told them that the way of the king must be the way to go. Regardless of all the other differences and possible explanations, replacing God with a king somehow made the most sense to them.
Application
But before God acquiesced and stepped down from the throne, His love and grace led Him to explain what would be the outcome of their decision. One day they would see the folly of their choice, and they would cry out to God. But in that day, He would not listen. But for now, the people did not listen. Maybe they didn’t know how, or maybe the advice entering their other ear was too sweet and appealing. Perhaps they figured God would still bless them through their kings. But whatever the reason, God’s people did not take His advice. And as crazy as that sounds to us, we turn around and do the exact same thing. We might not even realize we are looking at the other nations, but they’re out there, and we have given them our ear. So take my advice – steer clear of theirs. Don’t weaken your heart by trading a God for a king.
Charge
As we seek Him today, ask God to be gracious and give you that advice you need to hear one more time. Don’t let what’s around you end up inside of you.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.
