Under God's Government...⚖️

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UNDER GOD’S GOVERNMENT ⚖️ “Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” ‭‭● 1 Samuel‬ ‭8:4-5‬ ‭ 🔴 God comforted Samuel: “They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” 🟠 The foolish Israelites chose a mere mortal over creator of the universe. God identified the consequences of choosing an earthly king: • He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, • He will appoint him captains…to reap his harvest, and make his instruments of war,” ‭‭ • He will take your daughters to be confectionaries, cooks, and bakers. • He will take your fields, vineyards, and oliveyards and give them to his servants.” ‭ • He will take the tenth of your seed, vineyards, and give to his officers…” “He will take your menservants, maidservants, goodliest young men, your asses, and put them to his work.” ‭‭ • He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.” "And ye shall cry out on that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; the LORD will not hear you on that day.” ‭ ● 1 Samuel 8:18 🟡 The people insisted: ● “Nay; but we will have a king over us; that we also may be like all the nations.” ‭‭● "And the LORD allowed Samuel to make them a king.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭8:7-22 🟢 Daniel, however, recognizes God’s supreme power over our world leaders and praises God’s authority: “he removes kings, and setteth up kings.” ‭‭Daniel 2:20 🔵 God expressed indignation at Israelites: “Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which has placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree.” Jer 5:22 🟣 God lamented the multitude did not honor Him: “Neither says they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God.” Jeremiah ‭5:24 🟤 God uses humans for His purposes. • God guides the lives of certain individuals for particular roles under his sovereignty. • He positions and empowers leaders under his kingship to accomplish his ultimate plan at particular periods. • Scripture teaches us: that “obedience is better than sacrifice.” 1 Sam 15:22 ⚫️ When humans surrender to God’s laws he blesses them, but when the people rebel against God he allows evil to prevail. 💠 As Believers we put our trust in God’s guidance; he maneuvers our lives according to his predestined purpose.

• Scripture instructs us that “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 ‭ Photo Credit Unknown