|
Allowing God to Rule
by beatrice ofwona God chose the Israelites as His own people, in the same way, we read in John 15:16 He has called you to salvation because He has an agenda for you;, that He may build a covenant with you, that He may make you know Him and also so that may you have an abundant life. With the Israelites He established and gave them instructions through the commandments which would rule and govern them. God foresees the desires of His people and fulfills them according to His purposes for them. In Samuel: 8 the Israelites came to Samuel and demanded for a king. At this time, Samuel was old and his sons, Joel and Abijah did not walk in his ways, they were dishonest and accepted bribes. God had always been particular about his people and who ruled over them. However, when they demanded for a King, any King like other nations, God knew that they had rejected Him, just like they had done from the first day He brought them out of Egypt. He therefore allowed the prophet Samuel to let them have what they wanted but with a warning on consequences that they would face when this came to be. I wonder how many times we ask God for things He has withheld from us because of His omniscience but which we feel He should let us have. If we do not let God reign over our lives then we are surely going to miss out on the good that He has in store for us. Furthermore we may attract His wrath in our disobedience. Originally to the Israelites, rulership of God over them firstly meant a declaration of who He really was in their lives. He was master over all that they were and all that they had, including their households, their slaves and their property. Everything that they did declared God. But when they rejected God's advice through the prophet Samuel, they were in effect declaring that God was not God over them. Secondly, their acceptance of Him meant a demonstration of trust in the God who fought their battles. It was God who specifically picked up their armies and went ahead of them to fight their battles. In Psalms 20:7 they declare their trust, not in chariots and horses but in the Lord their God. As Christians, God is able to deliver us from what we are going through. These may sometimes not look like situations that we will ever conquer but with our faith and trust in Him we will be strengthened in the knowledge that He will eventually show up. Thirdly, the Israelites believed that under God they were showing dedication which was a symbol or sign of their obedience to the will of God. His rulership was like a light to them. We too should give God prominence in our lives and dedicate our lives to His will through Jesus Christ. Unless Christ rules over our lives, we will not be transformed into being like Him. It is only God who can fulfill all that we trust Him for because if He rules over our lives, we will have our desires met. (Word count 529) May these words (sermons), from various men and women of God be a blessing to all. contact:[email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |