SUNDAY January 20, 2019
Stubbornness
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
1 Samuel 8:19-20
Israel still demanded a king even though God warned them about his faults and flaws. They continued to be so stubborn. They still had a chance to repent. Instead of repenting, the people willfully rejected the counsel of God given through His faithful prophet Samuel.
Notice, just like the other nations, they wanted an earthly king to go fight their battles. Israel looked at the model of the world and desired to be just like them. Sadly, God’s people had decided to model their lives after the heathen way of life. What happened to God? What happened to the King of kings?
Do you find yourself having the same attitude as Israel––stubborn? Maybe you have rejected godly counsel, thinking, I do not care what I have been told by my leaders. I willshow them. You go ahead and willfully sin. This is nothing more thanstubbornness in your life. In rebellion, you want to do things your way. Yet have you stopped to consider the consequences you will pay for your rebellious actions?
Christians cannot model their lives after people in the world. We must not become like them. A Christian should desire to become more like Christ! We cannot fight our battles on our own. It does not work like that. Christ is the One who fights our battles. Honestly, I cannot fight my battles without Jesus. God fights my battles; believe me, I need God to fight my battles.
When you fight alone, you stand alone. When you let Jesus fight your battles, you have the host of God’s angel army behind you.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
