October 8, 2013 Protect Your Household

Read 1 Samuel 8

Protect Your Household

1 Sam 8:5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

IT IS A SAD day when the people of God want to be like “all the other nations”. Samuel had led Israel back to God. He raised his sons to do the same and gave them authority in Israel.

     But they failed. They became as Eli’s sons and put their country in the line of God’s judgment. God’s leaders failed. The nation no longer trusts the God who redeemed them from Egypt. Now the solution seemed to be to appoint an earthly king.

     When God’s leaders reject their God, they open the door for “new ideas” that are popular and comfortable. God’s ways get pushed aside little by little, and the world’s ways creep in to replace them.

     You’ll see that happen in Saul’s reign. He never quite understands that he must put himself aside and follow God completely. As a result, his nation is threatened.

     Parents, this goes for your household, too. Strive with all your might to put God’s ways first.  Do not be like “other households” who reject God. Follow God completely. Trust the true King.

A Moment’s Thought: The One who forms you says, “Follow me.”