HE'S Our King!!!!!!'

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Today's Passage: 1 Samuel chapter 8
Memory Verse> 1 Samuel 8:7

Over the centuries, we've witnessed how pitifully flawed humanity's sense of "right" can be. We have the capacity to do so many great things, and when we stand up for those things, no-one can stand in our way. But because even our best attempts to make the world a better place are rooted in iniquity and rebellion against God, that "sense of right" can not only be wrong, but it can also have devastating effects. Cain "felt" unfairly treated by his brother Abel and by God, so he simply killed him. Sarah "felt" that God was taking too long to give them a on, so she suggested Abraham have one by the servant girl. The list of events goes on and on of how even godly people miss the mark when attempting to do what seems "right".

Fast-forward to the last few centuries. There was a need for labor to make life more bearable in this new world called America, so it was decided that African men, women and children would be snatched from their lives and transported here to facilitate that purpose. Hitler "felt" it was his God-given right to preserve the Aryan race, so he methodically slaughtered millions of Jews over just a period of a few years. Where does it end? As long as humans are in control of our own actions, our sense of what seems right is dreadfully skewed. This is the same predicament the children of Israel found themselves in. They saw that the judges God had placed over them were beginning to fail, but rather than turn back to their Source, they came up with a plan of their own -- to have a king. And I bet you've already guessed what their spiritual reason was: BECAUSE EVERYBODY ELSE HAD ONE.

It's like a person who has no clue about building or measurements saying to the contractor who's building his house: "I feel like the closet should be where the bathroom is, and the living room should be 20 by 2." it sounds just as stupid when we try to take God's place and figure out the course of our lives for ourselves. So we make decisions like walking away from our marriages (or staying in and becoming unfaithful), walking in unforgiveness towards those we love, and walking away from God when things don't seem "right" about our lives. There's no way we can make choices outside of God and expect them to end well. All we're doing is walking in rebellion against Him, opening up doors for the enemy to come in.

Our pastors ministered to us this past Sunday about using "illegal substances" -- anything that is not in God's will for us. Recognize God as not only the One Who will judge us, but as One Who loves us and wants only the best for us. He holds the plumb line by which we can set our lives and TRUST that if we obey Him, the best will come out. But disobedience will only result in pain that we won't recover from easily. He's the King-- we don't need another. Whatever He says goes. It's such a place of peace to let Him be in control. Won't you trust Him with your life, dreams and eternity today?

Prayer: Father, my life is in Your hands. I not only WANT You, but I NEED You to guide me and keep me from the enemy's traps that are laid out for me. You see my end from my beginning, and You are full of wisdom and knowledge about things I could never even begin to understand. Forgive me for the times when I didn't trust You completely. Please take control today. You're my King, and I give You free reign. In Jesus' Name, Amen.