1 Samuel 8
Devotional:
But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” (I Samuel 8:19-20)
Side-eyes always get us in trouble! When we start casually glancing at what’s in our peripheral vision, right then and there the never-ending game of comparison begins, resulting in discontentment steeped in jealousy, envy and covetousness. It’s of our own doing and leads to our own undoing (James 3:14-16). When Israel’s side-eyes lingered at other nations’ structure of rule, discontentment (and whining) crept in. God heard the inner workings of the Israelites’ hearts, and He hears the inner workings of our hearts, too. Unfortunately for us, sometimes He gives us exactly what we ask. How much smoother life would be if we left our lives in His hands to guide and direct us. Today, stop praying for your will and pray for God’s will to be done because what you want may not be what you actually need!
But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” (I Samuel 8:19-20)
Side-eyes always get us in trouble! When we start casually glancing at what’s in our peripheral vision, right then and there the never-ending game of comparison begins, resulting in discontentment steeped in jealousy, envy and covetousness. It’s of our own doing and leads to our own undoing (James 3:14-16). When Israel’s side-eyes lingered at other nations’ structure of rule, discontentment (and whining) crept in. God heard the inner workings of the Israelites’ hearts, and He hears the inner workings of our hearts, too. Unfortunately for us, sometimes He gives us exactly what we ask. How much smoother life would be if we left our lives in His hands to guide and direct us. Today, stop praying for your will and pray for God’s will to be done because what you want may not be what you actually need!
Pray it:
Father, I confess that like the Israelites I often look to and covet what other people have and forget what I have in you. Help me to remember that you are my king and that I have all that I could ever need and want in you. Amen.
Father, I confess that like the Israelites I often look to and covet what other people have and forget what I have in you. Help me to remember that you are my king and that I have all that I could ever need and want in you. Amen.
Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
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