Today’s Reading 1 Samuel 4-8
Focal Scripture: 1 Samuel 8 19-20 “The people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.”
To often people look around them and want to be like others. This can happen to people and this can happen to nations. This is a problem because people are created differently. Embracing the differences is a sign of maturity and good leadership.
In today’s reading the Ark was taken by the Philistines after a battle. This was allowed to happen because the Israelites treated it as a good luck charm instead of a Holy artifact. While the Philistines had the Ark they experienced trouble/ plagued and quickly got rid of it from their presence.
Then Eli died and Samuel was getting older. Samuel’s sons were acting in evil manner. So the Israelites asked to have a king like everyone else. One who would fight for them, judge them and go out before them. This is a problem because for years that was the role of God. They were now wanting to go from being God lead to man lead.
Just because it works somewhere else doesn’t mean it will work in your context. The desire to be like others can be devastating. Especially for believers.
I am not saying you can’t learn from others. I am not saying that you can’t look up to others. What I am saying, is that you should not try to be someone else. Our example is Christ and we should follow him.
Far too often people want to copy others in every way. In doing so they miss out on being used how God designed them. I have experienced this in my own life. If you don’t think or act like the majority people get incensed with you.
They will find ways to attack you or discredit you. Worse yet they will try to demean you because you dare to think differently.
The application of today’s reading is to encourage you that not being like others can be a very good thing. Especially when God has sent you on your path.
Rejoice in following God more than emulating others.
Tomorrow I plan on reading 1 Samuel 9-12
