The danger of rejecting God
1 Sam. 8:1-18
The Israelites had been led by the LORD for so long. But as they settled in Canaan and were thriving under the judges, they saw that their neighbours had kings ruling over them. They also wanted the same. They said, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations” (1 Sam. 8:5).
Displeased, Samuel prayed to the LORD. The LORD said, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Sam. 8:7).
- Being envious of what others are doing and practising without ever wondering what God wills for us is a dangerous thing. It is possible to anger God because we look at others and not with what God has done for us and be thankful for it.
- It should be remembered that this could amount to rejecting God. They rejected Samuel, because they saw that he has become ‘old.’ God knows who is old and who is not. Samuel was still being used by the LORD, but the people decided that he was old and incapable of leading them. This amounts to rejecting God.
- Rejection of the LORD brings about disaster and ruin. They were warned of the burdens that would come upon them if they insist on having an earthly ruler/king. But they were adamant. We know what happened to them and how they came to be dispersed into captivity.
The church today also need to be always prudent. Have we rejected the LORD by drooling over worldly things and chasing after its glitters?
