Category: SPIRITUAL GROWTH

MELTDOWN AT THE CHICK-FIL-A

In front of the store with friendly people, I was angrily berating my husband for not having any alternative plan.

If my watch pedometer is correct, that Saturday I walked 7.5 miles in New York City. No, I was not training for a marathon (unless there is a marathon for stupidity). The bus dropped us passengers off for three hours of free time before seeing a Broadway Show. Our group quickly scattered in different directions. The fly in the ointment is that my husband and I had made no plans for where we would spend our free time.

LOOPING AROUND THE TWIGHT LIGHT ZONE

And so, we found ourselves exhausted from wandering in what seemed like a Twight Zone episode, as we looped repeatedly around the area near Rockefeller Center. It may have also been a scene from the movie Ground Hog Day. I am not particularly good at following Google Directions when it is in walking mode. The constant stepping wreaked havoc on the inflammation I have in my back. My fuse became shorter and shorter as my husband offered well intended suggestions. Do you know in downtown New York City it is rare to discover places to sit down, unless you are paying a fortune for a decent restaurant?

IT ALL CAME TO A HEAD AT CHICK-FIL-A

Ironically, it all came to a head in front of a Chick-Fil-A. That is when it dawned on my husband that where he wanted to go (Macy’s) was a good ten blocks further. He had missed my earlier words specifying how far it was. And so, next to the store that stands for great values, I was angrily berating my husband for not hearing my previous explanation and not having any alternative plan.

MY BODY IS FAILING

My body is failing as I age. Recently I had a series of infusions for a back inflammation which does not seem inclined to clear up any time soon. I do not behave well during stress when my pain level is at a ten. As you read this, I am sure you have already picked up on that point.

SLOW TO GET ANGRY???

And what does the Bible say about all this? “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19). However, I chose to go in the opposite direction. I wanted to sprint towards angry words and remain slow as molasses in listening. No way did I want to place a filter over my mouth.

NOT HURRYING TO OBEY

David’s words of Psalm 119:60 were ignored: “I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.” Even though my feet were moving slower and slower due back pain, my spiritual heart ran full tilt against God’s instructions. I wanted my husband to hear me loud and clear, even though God was emphasizing to me that duct tape over my mouth would be a much better behavior plan.

QUICK TO LISTEN…SLOW TO SPEAK

So, the day after, are we still married? Yes. Is my back still screaming? Yes. Do I wish I could take back every word that came out of my mouth in front of Chick-Fil-A? Yes!!!!! Lord, please ingrain in my heart, no matter the circumstances, to “be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” Also, thank You God for a forgiving husband.

Click to listen to the story of Eric Ludy

HOW ELLIE LEARNED “TO REMAIN”

She remembers the intersection, but her mind totally blocked out the collision. Her next memory is waking up in the ambulance.

In John 15:1-8, Whenever Jesus repeats a word, it isn’t because He likes how it rolls around on His tongue; it’s because the word is vital. In the Amplified Version, the word “remain” is repeated eight times. Remain means “to dwell”; to consistently live in the same place. To remain in the Vine of Jesus Christ means that we live and breathe daily in Him. We don’t wander off on our own, occupied with our personal plans, worries, and thoughts. God doesn’t plan for us to be the broken branches withering on the ground because we have lost our roots in Him.

THE BREATHING ROOM SHE DESPERATELY DESIRED

Let me tell you about Ellie (name changed for privacy). She was so excited. After months of pulling mandatory 70-hour work weeks, she finally had a week off. This first day was the breathing room she desperately desired. A break to regroup, contemplate and catch up on her first loves of reading and creative writing. Her early morning trip to fulfil multiple errands on that fateful day was short-lived.

GOD EXTENED HER BREATHING ROOM WITH A TRUCK

God thought Ellie needed extended breathing room. While at an intersection, a work truck pulling a full trailer of hay t-boned Ellie on the driver’s side. He had blown through the red light. Ellie remembers the intersection, but her mind totally blocked out the collision. Her next memory is waking up in the ambulance.

LIVING IN SURVIVAL MODE

In previous conversations with Ellie, we discussed her work schedule, her feelings of isolation, and the amount of time she spent worrying about God’s provision. Unknowingly, she drifted further and further from being rooted in “The Vine” as repeatedly mentioned in this passage. Her schedule was in survival mode: going to work, returning home to greet her cats, a brief meal, then crashing from exhaustion. The next morning, she would repeat the same cycle. This is how she remained before the accident.

LIVING ON “THE SHELF”

What currently bothers Ellie the most is she has lost her “mojo,” her constant busyness. For all her adult life, she has worked, worked and then worked some more. She came from poverty and dysfunction. Her heart extends as far as the ocean as she cares for her clients with disabilities. Doesn’t God understand her clients need her? Why has He placed her on the shelf?

RELEARNING “TO ABIDE”

On God’s chosen shelf, she is relearning what it means to simply abide in Christ. Work is set aside, plans are put away, and Christ sits next to her in her living room. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart] … My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.

SHE WAITS AT THE STOP SIGN

I thank God every day that He spared Ellie’s life. In my eyes, she is a star that lights up a room, displaying God’s redemption in all its glory. Right now, Ellie waits at the stop sign God has placed in her path. Her heart hates waiting as she waits and waits some more. There are so many questions, but God repeats, “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11) The crash is just a blip in God’s good plans for Ellie’s eternity as Ellie relearns what it means “to remain”.

RELEARN WHAT IT MEANS “TO REMAIN”

Have you wandered away from The Vine with your roots in Him becoming weaker and weaker? Maybe you have crashed to the ground; no fruit to be seen. I urge you to stop, evaluate, and put on pause your busyness of life. Relearn what it means “to remain.”

Click to hear about waiting from Ruth Chou-Simons

GOD’S GRADING SYSTEM

Recently, I led 23 conferences with parents of my second graders. They all want to know how their children are doing.

It’s that time of year again.  Time for parent teacher conferences.  Parents come in to meet their child’s teacher and talk about their progress so far. Recently, I led 23 conferences with parents of my second graders. “How’s my child doing?” “Does my child make friends easily?” “Is my child behaving?” These are the top questions of many parents.

THE RESPONSIBLE LEARNERS’ RUBRIC

As part of the conference, I share the “Responsible Learners Rubric”. I rate how each child is progressing in areas like following directions, using time wisely, cooperating with others, knowing the rules and accepting responsibility. Most parents appreciate this feedback because it encompasses the whole child, not just academics.

MY SCORES FALL SHORT

How do we measure up as Christians living in a broken world? Would we rarely, occasionally, frequently or consistently be performing in the four areas? I am afraid to say that my scores often consistently fall far short.

Thankfully, God does not rate us using a system like this. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Our eternal admission into God’s class is totally the work of Jesus on the cross. Our acceptance of Him as our Savior and submitting our lives to Him is what God requires for our entrance.

THE BENEFITS TO LIVING A LIFE DESIGNED BY HIM

If we use this rubric to aid us in our Christian life after accepting Jesus as Savior, verses from the Bible show us the benefit of living a complete wonderful Christian life personally designed by Him.

  1. Following directions: “Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 12:28)
  2. Using time wisely: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
  3. Cooperating with others: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
  4. Knowing the rules and accepting responsibility: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

God looks at our heart attitude regarding obeying His commands. That is awfully important if we want to graduate with honors from His teaching. May we attend the parent teacher conference with God and commit to Him: “My heart consistently knows you, loves you, and wants to serve you. I am your disciple. Use me today.”

For further reading: God’s grading system; Billy Graham 4 Steps to using time wisely

Kim, the author of this piece, is the mother of 3 grown children, one who is already living in his heavenly home.  She is a 2nd grade teacher at Lampeter-Strasburg and enjoys reading, spending time in nature, and walking the beach (wherever it is warm).

THE BIG PINK BOW

In my desire to escape the world’s escapades, I have spent more and more time zoning out by watching TV

About 8 feet away from where I sit is a large flat TV screen. Turn it on and I can travel the globe, listen to news (or fake news), hear documentaries, and watch my favorite crime dramas. Yes, I confess to being a crime show junkie. However, God has recently reminded me that in my desire to escape the world’s escapades of the past year, I have spent more and more time zoning out by watching TV. It helps me tune out my fears and worries.

WHAT I GAVE TO GOD

My beloved TV now has a new addition, a large pink bow. After yet another night of binging on a crime drama (and this one had a rather depressing conclusion), I decided to give God a present: the TV. God showed me I had compartmentalized my life into what belonged to God and what belonged to me.

WHERE JESUS PLACED HIS WILL

John 6:35-51 tells us a lot of things about the will of God. Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” Christ had much greater things to be concerned about regarding His future (especially since He already knew about the cross), yet He placed His will into His Father’s. Why can’t I do the same?

GOD’S WILL CAN BE TRUSTED

Notice the repetition of the word “will” in this passage. God makes a big deal out of it. “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” Jesus never says, “Sorry, the reservation list is too full, and I have already filled the quota of older women.”  So, to all of you fellow older women out there, this is a good thing. Unlike how the world often forgets us, Jesus never does. God’s will can be trusted.

WE ARE NEVER LOST IN THE HERD

The second wonder use is, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” God is never going to say, “Oops, I think she was somewhere around here, but I lost track of her.” God never loses us in the herd of humanity. He knows & remembers who He will raise up on the last day.

GOING 100% WITH GOD’S WILL

Then Jesus nails it with, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”  This isn’t the timid, ineffectual belief of those who look at Jesus and say, “Hey, Jesus deserves kudos for his place in history”. Instead, there exists the total devoted commitment of those who declare, “I am a sinner; Jesus totally paid my debt (both backwards, present, and forwards).” The genuine believer arrives at the conclusion, “Whatever is the Father’s will and plan for my salvation, I am totally going with it 100%. Jesus believed this, and that’s the final word.”

HOW TO DRAW CLOSER TO HIM

Hmm, so how does this play out? My TV, finances, plan, relationships, and viewpoint of humanity are His 100%. That significant pink bow on my TV designates a choice. I want engagement with what fits within His parameters. In this way, I draw closer to Him.

Jesus’ mantra was, “I can do nothing on my own initiative or authority. Just as I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just (fair, righteous, unbiased), I do not seek My own will, but only the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30). Jesus wrapped His will up in a big bow and gave it to God. Will you do the same?

Click to listen to the testimony of Anna Chatelain

HOW NOT TO BE TROUBLED

What keeps you awake at night, sweating up the bed sheets, tossing and turning and never getting a good night’s sleep?

What are you worried about? What keeps you awake at night, sweating up the bed sheets, tossing and turning and never getting a good night’s sleep? I know for one person it was the election. My wife was worried about who was going to be her next Commander and Chief.

Maybe for you, it is your job, making a blunder and then getting that infamous “pink slip”.

For me, it’s worrying about whether I got my last devotional written on time. Will it be acceptable?  Are all the verb tenses agree? Is this be the last devotional I’ll ever be allowed to write?  (Just because I’m married to the Editor, doesn’t mean it always goes well….)  

DOES JESUS DESERT US?

But the disciples of Jesus day had other things to worry about. John 14:1-7 begins with “Let not your heart be troubled”. Troubled? Why would they be troubled? Just go back to the previous chapter and read John 13:33: “My little children, I will be with you only a little longer”. What does that mean? Is Jesus taking off, is He deserting us?

IN THE MIDST OF BETRAYAL, HE WILL LEAVE

And if that isn’t upsetting enough, read John 13:21: “Jesus already told them: ‘After He had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me’”. What?! First, he breaks the news that someone in their midst was going to betray Him and then he tells them that He will be leaving. What’s going on Jesus?

REASSURANCE FROM THE CREATOR

Jesus brings reassurance to his disciples by telling them the truth about Himself:

  1. He tells them that He and the Father are one. This should have been nothing new to the disciples since He proclaimed it in John 10:30, “The Father and I are one”.
  2. “No, I am not leaving you forever. As a matter of fact, I am going ahead of you, and I will be getting the place ready”.
  3. Thomas says they don’t know where this place is or how to get there. Jesus says to Thomas, put your GPS away because you won’t need it. “Remember, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one gets to the father except through me”. So, if you want to get to the father, you have to go through Me.

WHAT CAN WE DO IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE

We find ourselves in various situations all the time, some may be small and incidental, or they may be major times of doubt and distrust in our lives.  What can we do when we reach that point? We can remember the words of Jesus. Trust the truth. Go back and read those words over and over again. John 14 is a good place to start.

Click to listen to the story of Hayden Jernigan

Bill Stoner, the author of this piece, is the wonderful husband of Jacqui. He is a retired pastor and a man who has weathered many storms. Bill has found God is faithful.

THE TRUTHTELLER’S DESK

So many emotions swirled around in my head. The neighbors heard me as I ran my electric sander on the back porch by the hour.

I check out when triggered. Often, I bury myself in work. This past Election Day triggered me. So many emotions swirled around in my head. The neighbors heard me as I ran my electric sander on the back porch by the hour. I worked non-stop refinishing a piece of furniture. Usually, I spend at least an entire week on a project like that. That was not the case this time as I sanded and prayed by the hour.

SEASON OF LOSS

Physical work helps me not to think about all I have lost the past few years. The pain can be agonizing. I’ve lost friends because I dare to believe in the sanctity of life; lost friends who have developed a very short fuse (so I avoid them) due to the upheaval in our country. And there are those who think I’m a moron for still believing God’s Word is true. You get the point. It’s been a season of loss.

POPULARITY IS NOT GOD’S GAME PLAN

This hurts. I value relationships and people and of course I like it when people think well of me. Apparently being popular was never God’s game plan for me.

THE ROCK AND THE HARD PLACE

It’s hard because I’m caught between a Rock and a hard place. God is the Rock and relationships can be the hard place. How can I be a truth teller when no matter how gently I speak the words, someone gets upset with what God says?

GOD HEARS MY WORKING PRAYERS

On the other hand, I know I will explode if I disobey God and keep silent when He asks me to speak or obey Him in behavior. And so I go to my back porch, and work by the hour, and pray by the minute.

My work resulted in a lovely desk. God hears my working prayers.

But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his Word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! (Jeremiah 20:9)

Listen to the story of Lee Strobel

THOSE GANGLY YEARS

Gone was my little girl and in her place stood a glimpse of the stunning woman she was becoming.

We had a term in our family when my children were growing up: “The Gangly Years”. Those are the pubescent years between being small children and teens. Their hands and feet are too big for the rest of their bodies resulting in a general physical clumsiness. Constant growth disrupts their center of gravity. Many children also have “mixed dentition” – which is the fancy name for a mouthful of baby teeth and adult teeth. When they smile it can be surprising to see such a mismatch of teeth packed into their mouths. The gangly years are rather chaotic.

THE STORMS OF EMOTIONS

Not only are they physically awkward, but their emotions are a turbulent sea of waves in which we are all tossed about. One day their reactions to stressors are like those of a young child: the next like a grown-up. As parents, we worked hard to encourage confidence in our children through this time and to delightfully envision who they were becoming.

AN AWKWARD, CONFUSING AND CHALLENGING TIME

Even still, there were days when the reality of being in between the current reality and eventuality was less than any of us hoped. I often questioned my parenting skills while in the throes of these years. I knew and understood who they were as small children but needed vision to guide and raise them to be who God called them to be. It was an awkward, confusing, and challenging time for each of us requiring patience, gentleness, and love.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HANNAH?

One Sunday morning when in the thick of this season with our eldest, my husband asked me, “What happened to Hannah?!?” Concerned that something was wrong but not wanting to overreact, I asked him what he meant. He told me that she suddenly looked so grown up and beautiful in her Easter dress. I peeked out the doorway and across the hall to the bathroom. There she stood, fixing her hair. My breath momentarily caught in my throat.

THE LITTLE GIRL REPLACED BY A GLIMPSE OF THE YOUNG WOMAN

It was true. Gone was my little girl and in her place stood a glimpse of the stunning woman she was becoming. It was as if I suddenly knew the awkward phase would not last forever. That brief moment was such an encouragement to my heart. Sure, there were still many years of perseverance in helping her and my other children grow to maturity. Transformation takes time. But God’s grace was there every step of the journey.

HOW’S YOUR DEVELOPMENT?

Where are you in your development in becoming mature in Christ? Are you in your own spiritual gangly years: between the current version of yourself and the renewed person God is establishing in you? Do you live with mismatched parts that make a less-than-ideal presentation to the world around you? How does your life match up with Ephesians 4:1-16?

Perhaps you feel overwhelmed in the process of becoming who you were created to be, wondering if you’re doing this right because some days there is a greater quantity of sharp words than kind ones which roll off your tongue. (Proverbs 10:9; 15:4) Maybe you wrestle with fear and renewing your mind. (2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2)

GOD’S PATIENCE

Take heart, for God will patiently, gently, and lovingly complete the work He began in you. (Philippians 1:6) His hands have been fashioning you from the very beginning. Every day ordained for you is written in His book. (Psalm 139:13-16) He sees you mature and complete and has the patience for your spiritually gangly years.

Click to listen to the testimony of Jessica Carpenter

Author Susan Cazillo is a wife, mom, and nonni. Her family are the most important people in her life. She’s grateful to serve as a career navigator for out of school youth, ages 16-24, partnering with them so they can achieve their goals just as others did for her. 

BORN ON PLANET PLUTO, AND OTHER LIES

My son had convinced his entire class he was born on Pluto

“Do you know that Noah has the entire class convinced he was born on the planet Pluto?” An aspiring 2nd grader and accomplished liar, my youngest son told this whopper regarding his birth to his classmates. His teacher told me Noah’s “origin story.” I despaired about Noah, wondering if his future would be as a conman. Was Noah so self-deceived that he would swear on a stack of Bibles he was born on Pluto?

SELF DECEPTION IS A CANCER

The power of self-deception is horrible. For example, the individual who swears to you they don’t have a drug problem, but you can see the needle tracks all over their arms. Self-deception reigns throughout society. I remember standing in a church parking lot listening to a family screaming at each other (with the car windows up) and then they exited their car. They proceeded to walk toward the church, wishing me a lovely day with smiles pasted on their faces. Minutes before, I heard the horrible names they called each other. Self-deception is a cancer and the Temple leaders in this Gospel account are full of it in John 8:33-58.

SLAVES TO SIN

Earlier in this confrontation, the Temple leaders declared their holy parentage, descendants of Abraham. Yet Jesus says they are slaves to sin. Doesn’t a slave desire more than anything to be made free? However, they do not want freedom offered by Christ, they just want life to continue with the prestige of being in charge of their religious community. They think they have the inside track with God. They are so self-deceived they cannot see the truth standing before them.

LIES FROM HELL

“Who do you make yourself out to be?” the men scream at Jesus. Picture a brilliant sunset in the background while the Jews angrily surround Jesus. They accuse the Creator of Heaven and earth, the Creator of the sunset, of being demon possessed. Out of their mouths fly lies from the pit of hell.

HE CALLS A SPADE A SPADE

No one likes to be stripped and exposed. We would rather tell lies about ourselves than admit how sinful, broken, and needy we are. Yet, Jesus calls a spade a spade. He doesn’t mince words. To His accusers He says, “Yet you do not know Him [God] but I know Him fully.”  

THE “I AM”

The Teacher ties up this confrontation by offering a beautiful present. He is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Jesus tells the mob He is the “I Am.” These are the same words that God used to describe Himself when He met Moses at the burning bush. (Exodus 3:1-15). Jesus is God.

RIPPING OFF THE BAND-AID OF RELIGION

This so infuriates His accusers, that they pick up stones to murder the Christ. They think that by silencing the “problem,” there would be no problem. But we know the rest of the story. The One who they murdered rose from the dead and millions and millions have come to know Him. Jesus has ripped off the band-aid of religion and uncovered the layers of self-deceit.

DO YOU WANT TO BE FREE?

By letting His truth change you, then you can be made truly free. Do you want to be free? Then begin living letting The Word radically change your life. Hebrews 4:12-14 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.”

Let Jesus expose the Truth. Don’t be self-deceived.

Click to listen to Megan Donahue’s story of being set free to the Truth

UNREALIZED BLESSINGS

Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is

A few weeks ago, I was stopped by the police on my way home from working a 12-hour shift at my hospital job. But before I got pulled over, the Lord whispered in my spirit that I would get pulled over. The patrol car was on the other side of the intersection. God’s voice was a little odd to hear because I was a law-abiding citizen…until that night. So, when the lights came flashing, I pulled over, unsure of what I had done. I wasn’t speeding and I had not gone through a red light.

I MISSED CHECKING THE BOX

As the officer approached me, he told me my registration had expired. I was surprised because I had bought my car a few months prior and received a new license plate.  Who knew that even if you get a new car, it only ultimately renews your registration if you check a box on the paperwork when you buy it. I missed checking the box. God then reminded me of His blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Philippians 4:23)

DAVID’S “LIABILITIES” WERE BLESSINGS

I wonder how often God blesses us when we don’t realize it at first. Certainly, I didn’t view the traffic stop as a blessing, but it prevented me from further problems with the DMV. But then, I think of David in the Bible when he defeats Goliath. His short stature probably didn’t seem like a blessing, or his ability to shoot a slight shot, but it was. Ultimately, God used David’s ability to help further his kingdom. God used what seemed like a liability as a blessing.

It’s in how we choose to view it. C.S. Lewis stated, “Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is.”

TIME TO RECONSIDER

So next time, reconsider what you think of as an inconvenience, annoyance, or frustration. This is from God and God gives blessings, regardless of how we view them.

MY INCONVENIENCE WAS A BLESSING

In the words of David: You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised. I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.  I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver. (Psalm 119: 54-72) Was I tired after working a 12-hour shift? Yes, but I was thankful that I got pulled over after work. What I considered an inconvenience was a blessing from God.

I think it’s all about how you view the blessings God has given you. Remember how God gave David exactly the right blessings? Probably David never originally saw them as gifts from God. What has God given you?

Click for further thoughts on this: “Blessing” doesn’t always mean what you think.

The contributor for this blog is Ashley Sullivan. She is a social worker and the founder of Broken Until Now. She lives in Willow Street with her dog, Jake. Ashley is a lover of Jesus, coffee, and gymnastics. You can reach her at brokenuntilnow@gmail.com. 

WHO DO YOU TRUST?

When I worry, it’s because I know that God’s ruling the world, but I’m afraid he’s not going to get it right.

Have you read the headlines lately? It is so easy to get caught up in speculation and worse case scenarios. That’s exactly the road the Israelites were traveling during the end of Samuel’s life. As Tim Keller writes, the Israelites “saw the news but not the Savior”.  

TOUGH TIMES FOR A NATION

I Samuel 8:1-22 tells us about a difficult time for a nation. They trusted Samuel, but he was coming to the end of being their leader, their priest, their pastor. His sons were moral failures and could not be trusted to take up the reigns. We read that the elders of Israel look around, review their conditions, and after observing the surrounding nations, they come up with their own solution. Their actions demonstrate they believe God is unreliable regarding leadership, so it is up to them to find an earthly king to rule them and protect them. They forget that God still rules the world, no matter what fears we possess.

WHAT IF GOD DOESN’T “GET IT RIGHT”?

Tim Keller wrote: “When I worry, it’s because I know that God’s ruling the world, but I’m afraid he’s not going to get it right. Worry is always a deep sense in the human heart that we know better than God how life ought to go and that we should be ruling the world instead of God.” And so, the Jewish leaders assume it was time to step in and “lend God a hand”. They demand of Samuel, “Give us a king to judge and rule over us.”

REJECTING GOD’S BEST

Samuel is extremely distressed in the chain of events. God tells 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.” Wow! That should have stopped the Israelites in their tracks, but it didn’t. “They have abandoned (rejected) Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. So now listen to their voice; only solemnly warn them and tell them the ways of the king who will reign over them.”

GOD GAVE THEM WHAT THEY WANTED

Samuel gives them what they ask for. David Guzik writes: “Because Israel demanded a king for bad and carnally minded reasons, God will give them a bad and carnally minded king. In itself, the desire to have a king was not bad. God knew one day Israel would have a king. 400 years before this God gave instructions to Israel about their future king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). A king was in God’s plan for Israel. Yet, the reason Israel wanted a king was wrong. To be ‘like all the nations’ is no reason at all.”

KING #1

Because of their lack of trust. Israel ends up with King #1: Saul, who is tall, handsome and impressive. Saul is also a coward, selfish, a liar, and mentally unstable. If the Israelites had just waited on God, they would have received David as King #1, the man who followed after God’s own heart. But, they demanded, and demanded, and God gave them what they asked for.

A HOLY NATION

God’s goal for Israel was “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6) 

SETTLING FOR LESS

The Israelites settled for much less than God’s wonderful plan because they just wanted to look like every else. Is your heart’s desire to just be like everyone else? Are you asking God with bended knee, willing to wait for Him and for what glorifies Him, no matter how He accomplishes that goal? The Israelites in their haste ignored God and received exactly what their miniscule hearts asked for: an inept and miniscule king because they saw the news but not the Savior.

Click to read Tim Keller’s “The disciplines of distress”