Love That Never Fails

55. Who is on the Throne?

The love and patience of our God is seen time and time again throughout the Old Testament. Similar to a father and his children, God consistently took time to guide and discipline His chosen people the Israelites. He chose Samuel as a prophet over them to directly speak His Word to them, even from a young age:

"The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word."
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3:19-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

After many years of faithfully serving God in his capacity as a prophet, Samuel finally came to address the Israelites:

"Then Samuel said to the people, "It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt. Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the Lord as to all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for you and your ancestors."
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As Moses had done before his death, Samuel too reminded the people of how faithful God had been to them in giving them victory over their enemies but he also outlined a major failing on their part:

"Then the Lord sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies all around you, so that you lived in safety. "But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, 'No, we want a king to rule over us'—even though the Lord your God was your king."
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12:11-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What a devastating mistake and yet it is one that you and I can so easily make too! It's easy to forget that the Lord is our King and instead look to the advice or authority of others. Think over this past day —did you allow Jesus to be king over all the decisions you made, whether they were major or minor? Is it possible that you unknowingly placed something or someone else in His place? Maybe you put yourself on the throne for a few hours instead of trusting Him to fully have His way when it came to leading you and guiding your decisions. It's so easy to do this! I wonder how could things have been different, had you given Jesus His rightful place in your life?

Looking back over our lives, we can remember times when we made choices that led us in directions that God would not have wanted for us. Isn't it wonderful that He works with us where we are at. He doesn't abandon us when we choose to set Him aside as king of our life. He is patient and loving and guides us to a place of surrender again.

"Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the Lord has set a king over you. If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors."
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12:13-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God guided His people through Samuel, even though their choice to have an earthly king must have grieved Him deeply. He leaves them with wise words that we can all seek to follow:

"But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you."
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for Your incredible patience with me! You have done so many great things throughout my life and yet I often fail to consider how loving, kind and generous You have been to me! I am so sorry for all the occasions where I have not been grateful and also for the times I have put other people or things in the place of authority that rightfully belongs to You.

Lord help me to remove all the things that have become idols —they have no place in my life! I choose to humbly serve You, keeping only You as my King, my Saviour, my God in whom I trust.

Amen.