“Give us a king.” 1 Samuel 8:6
The Israelites were led by God. They were supposed to be led directly by the LORD Himself. Yet, in their rebellion, they cried out “Give us a king” – a human king or leader (1 Samuel 8:6).
The critical lesson for us to learn is that wolves step right in on the wings of this evil desire to put away the LORD and exchange Him for a mere human leader (2 Timothy 4:3).
Many today, who have been saved sometime in the past, have fallen away from the LORD in their hearts, which is exactly where His holy eyes are (1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13). He sees that they are “fallen from grace,” back slidden – fallen away and in deep trouble and danger of hell fire (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39).
“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” Proverbs 14:14
It is futility to look unduly to men, even saved men. Yet, those who do not truly and personally seek after the LORD “in spirit and in truth,” inevitably revert to looking to mere sinful men who are authors, preachers, TV evangelists, and pastors that are apostate in this last hour (John 4:23-24). The LORD never intended for men to vicariously experience Him and He doesn’t allow such. Not even between fathers and sons (Ezekiel 18:20). In the all-wise divine economy, a man either goes directly to the Father in and through Jesus Christ, or there is no relationship (John 10:9; 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5, etc.).
The Sin and Curse of Idolatry
IF JESUS is not your only hero, you are a Christ-denying idolater and all idolaters are going to the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ?” Isaiah 2:22
IF you are surprised that a mere man (leader) has slipped or fallen, you don’t yet have a mature understanding of man who, “at his best state is altogether vanity.” (Psalms 39:4-5) Didn’t even the great apostle of Jesus tell us all that “no good thing” dwelled in him, that is, in his flesh? (Romans 7:18, 24) The Bible tells us that Jesus “did not commit himself unto … men, for he knew what was in man.” (John 2:24-25) What is it that our LORD knew about men and that we should begin to understand?
Pour prayerfully over John 2:24-25 and 1 Corinthians 4:6.
You may be saying in your heart “Give me a king” – “Give me someone tangible in the flesh to look to!” (1 Samuel 8:6) In essence, this is saying “Give me an idol to worship because I don’t want to live by faith, worshiping God in spirit and in truth!” (John 4:23-24) But friend, we don’t come to God on OUR terms but rather HIS. – “They that worship the Father MUST worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)
Many today whom the LORD has saved are now demanding an earthly representative, someone tangible that they can touch, and hear audibly, etc. But this circumvents what God requires – faith in Him which must be pure faith. This is unmitigated rebellion and idolatry, a damning sin.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
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God has given regenerate men His Spirit and the ability to know Him and to worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” No other mere man can be in this equation or all is lost. Idolatry is wickedness and rebellion – “Thou shalt have NO other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3) God is “Holy, holy, holy” and will not co-exist with any rebel who insists upon having any idol (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
“For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.” Psalms 96:5
“For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.” Psalms 97:9
Vicariously experiencing God through another person is a farce. It is not possible. The sin of idolatry will be damning (Revelation 21:8). You must repent, return to Him, and place all your faith and trust in the only nailed-scarred, risen Savior and LORD Jesus Christ.
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22
Instead of looking to any mere man, woman, or ministry, the Heaven bound child of God, looks only to the King of all kings – the LORD of all lords. That disciple alone will be with Christ eternally. All others claiming to be saved, yet having any other false god/idol, will be terminated into the bowels of eternal damnation (Revelation 21:8).
“Jesus said (a divine command) unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38
It’s all or nothing. Jesus says:
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30
Any questions?
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
“Give Us an Idol King”
Many churches today are built upon the personality of a mere man. The personality of the pastor is like their church business branding. There’s a particular church in this area and nearly every time I have met someone who goes there, they say “How we love Pastor Such and Such.” Upon listening to some of his messages online, I was flabbergasted at why people are so enamored. It could only be those who are carnal and are only looking at personality and not substance. As God’s Word foretold, there are many today who love to be stimulated by a good orator and are apparently willing to give up the substance of Christ Himself and truth in exchange for it.
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Paul made sure he did not do anything to cause people to unduly look to him, a mere man. As he ministered, the apostle refused to use “excellency of speech” in order to dazzle people and build a ministry on his own personality. He knew that many would rather cling to a mere man in whom they can see instead of putting their faith in God Himself. This is no different than when Israel rejected the LORD and called for a human king who God gave them. This resulted in great pain and suffering.
When Samuel the prophet was old and about to retire to Heaven, the people of Israel called out for a human king to replace God. This grieved Samuel.
“But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.” 1 Samuel 18:6
When the people rejected the reign of God Himself in their lives, God-fearing Samuel was “displeased” and “prayed to the LORD.” Like Samuel, God-fearing people today are greatly grieved when they see people worshipping and giving undue attention to mere human leaders.
The story continues …
“And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.” 1 Samuel 8:7-9
Nothing has changed in our day. Back then the people of Israel wanted to be like the God-less:
“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. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. 22 And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.” 1 Samuel 8:20-22
Many today refuse to die to self and seek God “in spirit and in truth” which is the only way He can be rightly worshipped by faith (John 4:23-24). Instead, they would rather put their trust in a tangible mere human being who even in his very “best state” is “altogether vanity.” (Psalms 39:4-5) In this, they reject the LORD Himself.
False leaders are much easier on people than God is. The LORD is holy and demands that His people be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). Most people don’t want to hear that message. So, they flock to smooth talking deceivers who offer them a false hope, all the while never realizing that it’s for their very eternal soul.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Have we ourselves set our affections upon a mere man? Have and are we seeking the face of the One who is our Maker, Savior, Friend, and the Judge of our eternal souls?
Have we heaped to ourselves human leaders who tell us what we want to hear – smooth messages that do not call us to repent and live a laid down life?
Is it time for you to turn to in repentance and look directly to the LORD, the God who made you and said He is Jealous – His very name? (Exodus 34:14) When you do look to Him who had infinite mercy upon your wretched soul, do you think He will fill you with His love and mercy toward others so that you will then be able to view them from His perspective, allowing His love to cover the multitude of sins in order to help them grow in His grace? (1 Peter 4:8; Ephesians 4:3, 32)
The Most High God, Jesus Christ, says to you today:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Prayer of Repentance to be Restored to the LORD: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ and by His precious blood He shed to make me one with You, I come to you – in my sinful sate. LORD, I openly acknowledge that I have departed from You and sinfully rebelled against You in idolatry. Right this moment, if never before, I call upon You Holy Father, to forgive my sins, to change my life, to break me to the core of my being. I fully believe that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, that He came in the flesh, lived a sinless life as the very only begotten Son of God, died on the cross for the sins of mankind, was buried, rose again from the dead, and is soon going to return! I love You Jesus and from this moment forward, I am all Yours! Please fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me every day of my life You grant! In Jesus’ name, amen!
WHO is God Leading You to Correct?
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