January 7 - Rejecting God

Today's Reading:
1 Samuel 10:1-11:15
Romans 7:1-13
Psalm 77:10-20
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Focus Verses:
1 Samuel 10:17-19, 25
17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah 18 and said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.' 19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, 'No, set a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans." - - - 25 Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the LORD. Then Samuel dismissed the people, each to his own home.

Insight:
Rather than seeking God or listening to Samuel, the people were sure they needed a king. They thought that would make them like other nations and fix everything. They imagined a king who would fight their battles and solve their problems. They were unwilling to heed any warning of how a king could actually make their life worse. And since they would not listen, God gave them what they wanted (see also 1 Samuel 8:19-22).

Response and Action:
How many times do I look to something or someone other than God to solve my problems? It is so tempting to imagine that going along with the ways of the world might make my life better, easier, or safer. But my faith is in the Lord, not in the ways of the world, and not in the delusions of my heart and mind!

While I clearly have the freedom to reject God and his guidance, such rejection is never the way faith in Christ will let me go. I want God's way. I understand that getting my own way may not be what is best for me. My way may actually lead me away from what I truly need and want. That's why I will be careful to seek God with my whole heart and look to him for the direction I need.

O God, help me to keep my eyes on you. Help me to not envy the wicked or put my faith in the ways of man. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses:
Psalm 25:4-5
4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Resources:
Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship With God
by Dallas Willard