A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (November 8, 2016)
The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it. (Proverbs 29:4, NASB)
Samuel was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. He and God had led Israel for many years. When Samuel was old he appointed his sons as judges over Israel and they were corrupt and did not walk in the ways of Samuel. As a result, the elders (who represented the people), came to Samuel and demanded that he find them a king.
Samuel was very displeased at this and prayed to God about it. The following was God’s response:
“Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected me as their King. From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they’ve been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they’re doing it to you. So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they’re in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they’re likely to get from a king.” (1 Samuel 8:7-9, The Message Bible)
So Samuel told them, delivered God’s warning to the people who were asking him to give them a king. He said, “This is the way the kind of king you’re talking about operates. He’ll take your sons and make soldiers of them—chariotry, cavalry, infantry, regimented in battalions and squadrons. He’ll put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury. He’ll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks. He’ll conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends. He’ll tax your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy. Your prize workers and best animals he’ll take for his own use. He’ll lay a tax on your flocks and you’ll end up no better than slaves. The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don’t expect God to answer.” (1 Samuel 8:10-18, The Message Bible)
But the people wouldn’t listen to Samuel. (1 Samuel 8:19, The Message Bible)
Please pray that the voters in the United States of America will listen and still have enough discernment of character and respect for God, the laws of this country, and our Constitution, to make the right choice at the ballot box today!!!
