Friday, March 7, 2008
Read 1 Samuel 8:1 through 12:25.
(8:6-7) But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD. The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them." (NASB)
I've been invited to meals before, offered help for a task, and even offered money, and in instances like these and probably a few others responded, "Thanks, but no thanks." In the case of God and Israel, God had been faithful to His promises. Years before He had heard His chosen people's cries and delivered them from their oppressive bondage in Egypt. Using the likes of Moses and Joshua, He had faithfully led them to and into their Promised Land. He had pledged to be their God, graciously inviting them to be His people. But time and time again in the Old Testament we read Israel's answer: "Thanks, but no thanks."
Can you look back at a time in your life when you essentially rejected God's leadership, much in the same way that Israel did? What was that time like? And what blessings can you see now that you may have missed?
At their heart, the Israelites just wanted to be "like all the nations" (8:5). How have you sacrificed God's sovereign place in your life for the sake of conforming?
Even the right decision is the wrong decision if it is made too late.
Lee Iacocca
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Morning Manna is hosted first for online friends of Immanuel Baptist Temple in Henderson, Kentucky, but any online Christian should feel welcome to join in our conversations. Daily posts will focus on readings from Scripture driven by a basic Read-Through-the-Bible-in-One-Year plan, so walk alongside us, enjoy the Lord's presence as you journey through the Word of God, and comment as you feel led.
What do you find most difficult about experiencing grief?
This Week's Readings
- Wed 3/19, 2 Samuel 20:1-24:25
- Thu 3/20, 1 Kings 1:1-4:34
- Fri 3/21, 1 Kings 5:1-8:66
- Sat 3/22, 1 Kings 9:1-11:43
- Sun 3/23, 1 Kings 12:1-16:34
- Mon 3/24, 1 Kings 17:1-19:21
- Tue 3/25, 1 Kings 20:1-22:53
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You can keep up with IBT's Transformed Student Ministry and Youth Pastor Justin Carter by clicking here.
In addition to our Student Ministry's site, you might be interested in sites specifically designed for our College Students and Young Families, respectively. For more information about the College Ministry site please contact Lindsay Carter, and for more information on the Young Families' site please contact Brian Canter.
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Samuel Marney, Worship Pastor
Justin Carter, Youth Pastor
Pat Ligon, Financial Secretary
Peggy Berry, Pastor's Secretary
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4 comments:
I think there are times in everyone's lives where we reach a comfort level and we think we are doing fine. I've been there. You think that things are ok and at this moment you may think that you don't need God, so you say "Thanks, but no thanks." It's like we brush him off when we do not need him. But we always come running back. We have to BE Jesus at all times so that we don't get into that comfort zone and reject God's leadership. He's there to lead us through not only the bad but the good.-Lindsay Carter
Lindsay, your "running back" comment is very relevant. Looking back at not only today's reading in 1 Samuel but also through Samuel's nearby biblical neighbor, Judges, reveals that (1) rebelling against God, (2) tasting His discipline, (3) crying out for deliverance, and (4) being delivered by God in His faithfulness was Israel's sad cycle of life. Over and over again they rebelled and ran back. Such really isn't the Christian life, but many are living the same cycle. It reminds me how amazing God's grace is, but that in no way is it license just to keep indulging sin.
Being the prideful creatures we are there are many times we just think we know best or we want to be in control. I also believe without constant and on going "Quiet Time" it becomes even easier to push God to the side. I know for me that is when I am at my weakest. I will probably always wonder here on earth if I have ever come close to fulfilling the purpose he had planned for me. I think I am closer to that now and pray I will continue to grow and become more obedient without batting an eye.
Brian
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