Broken Kingdoms: WK1 - TUE
Rejecting the King of Kings - 1 Samuel 8:4-9
Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”
Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the LORD for guidance. “Do everything they say to you,” the LORD replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.”
I find Samuel’s reaction in these verses eerily relatable. Looking beneath the surface, we see Samuel’s frustration and displeasure at being rejected by the people in their appeal for a king. He isn’t upset because God’s leadership is set aside. The prophet is doing what I sometimes do — he’s taking more ownership of God's movement than he has the right to.
The people’s request is both a criticism and a complaint. They used to be satisfied with Samuel’s leadership, but now that he's aging and the next generation is disappointing, they are unhappy. However, what both the elders and the prophet seem to forget is that Samuel was never the main leader or the one in control — Israel has always been led by Yahweh Himself. The people are asking to replace God with a human king.
Every now and then, the words I’ve spoken echo in my mind, prompting reflection. How casually I insert “my” where “our” or “your” might be more appropriate. Slowly, subtly, I assume ownership, control, and possession. I refer to “my church” as a pastor. I will say “my ministry.” “My plan” can so easily interfere with submission to Jesus. In the end, am I tempted to stop following Jesus and start dragging Him around by my strategies?
Don’t misunderstand. It is powerful to identify with a faith community and call it mine. This is the difference between staying a visitor and becoming family. Owning our responsibilities and accepting accountability, specifically mine as a pastor, is deeply important. However, our language can signal a shift from serving Jesus to a focus on personal self-interest.
How do you fight this predictable drift? There are two suggestions to consider. First, do as Samuel did. Talk directly to God about these challenges. Read the Word of God, listening for connections with your life. It is amazing how often He uses old stories, like this one, to remind us of our need for repentance and recalibration. Put yourself in the same place and time as Jesus. He will speak to you through His Spirit.
Secondly, actively work on adjusting your language during prayer. Don’t wait until you realize you’ve been trying to take control that isn’t yours. Start including words of submission in your thoughts and prayers today.
As an example, let me share one of my prayers: “Our Father, thank you for inviting me into what You are doing in our community today. I am stunned at the risks you take by including me. As I serve your people, help me remember that this ministry is Yours, shared with me. Please help me honor You. Amen.”
Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”
Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the LORD for guidance. “Do everything they say to you,” the LORD replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.”
I find Samuel’s reaction in these verses eerily relatable. Looking beneath the surface, we see Samuel’s frustration and displeasure at being rejected by the people in their appeal for a king. He isn’t upset because God’s leadership is set aside. The prophet is doing what I sometimes do — he’s taking more ownership of God's movement than he has the right to.
The people’s request is both a criticism and a complaint. They used to be satisfied with Samuel’s leadership, but now that he's aging and the next generation is disappointing, they are unhappy. However, what both the elders and the prophet seem to forget is that Samuel was never the main leader or the one in control — Israel has always been led by Yahweh Himself. The people are asking to replace God with a human king.
Every now and then, the words I’ve spoken echo in my mind, prompting reflection. How casually I insert “my” where “our” or “your” might be more appropriate. Slowly, subtly, I assume ownership, control, and possession. I refer to “my church” as a pastor. I will say “my ministry.” “My plan” can so easily interfere with submission to Jesus. In the end, am I tempted to stop following Jesus and start dragging Him around by my strategies?
Don’t misunderstand. It is powerful to identify with a faith community and call it mine. This is the difference between staying a visitor and becoming family. Owning our responsibilities and accepting accountability, specifically mine as a pastor, is deeply important. However, our language can signal a shift from serving Jesus to a focus on personal self-interest.
How do you fight this predictable drift? There are two suggestions to consider. First, do as Samuel did. Talk directly to God about these challenges. Read the Word of God, listening for connections with your life. It is amazing how often He uses old stories, like this one, to remind us of our need for repentance and recalibration. Put yourself in the same place and time as Jesus. He will speak to you through His Spirit.
Secondly, actively work on adjusting your language during prayer. Don’t wait until you realize you’ve been trying to take control that isn’t yours. Start including words of submission in your thoughts and prayers today.
As an example, let me share one of my prayers: “Our Father, thank you for inviting me into what You are doing in our community today. I am stunned at the risks you take by including me. As I serve your people, help me remember that this ministry is Yours, shared with me. Please help me honor You. Amen.”
- What is a team you've enjoyed being part of? What role did you play?
- Do you tend to naturally hold back and let others take the lead, or do you often end up seen as the leader? Does the environment influence this? Explain.
- Is there a part of your life where you need to consider recalibrating and let someone else take the lead? Allowing God to lead? What part is that? What would you like to say to God about it?
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