1 Samuel 12:14, “If you will fear the Lord and serve him and
heed his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both
you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be
well; but if you will not heed….”
Samuel administered justice under God’s guidance. It was a
personal relationship, which Samuel then extended to the people.
Trustful—honest—loving—kind—accountable.
Even as the people insisted Samuel replace himself by asking
God to give then a king, they openly announced that he had never defrauded them
or oppressed them. His administration of justice was in reality not the issue.
Israel wanted to be like the other nations, wanted to be under a king. Perhaps
wanted less personal scrutiny, less accountability. Like a toddler turns his
back on a parent in the mistaken assumption they cannot see what his is doing.
Still loving, Samuel gave the warning. Without God’s voice
present justice could be compromised, all might not be well. And they dismissed
his concerns. The underlying motives took priority.
Sometimes I wonder how often we too bow to our own personal
desires, personally and publicly, over the Lord’s commands and cloak it all
under progress. Pretend—ignore—avoid—the hint of wrong motives.
Please keep reminding us Lord, that only in Your words can a
real relationship grow into honest justice. Only by Your power can we become
truly personal to one another in truth.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 89:14
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.”
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