1 Samuel 8:9-18
9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
Sometimes we may feel frustrated that God doesn’t seem to want to give us what we want, or frustrated by his commandments. God’s people may have been frustrated at his point. They wanted a king and God didn’t want to give them one. Can you hear them cry out, ‘That’s not fair God, we want a king like everyone else. That’s not asking too much is it?!…’ But here’s the thing, God is never arbitrary in his actions, nor does he withhold good things from us, he wants the best for us, but when his will seems opposed to ours its for a good reason. Here it’s because he can foresee that if he gives them a king, it won’t end well.
Thank you Father that you want what is best for us. Help us to remember and appreciate this when we can’t see why you might be saying no.
Sarah MURRAY