DAY 97

WHICH WAY WILL YOU GO

1 Samuel 7, 8 & 9 and Luke 9:18 – 36

In chapters 7, 8 and 9 of 1^st Samuel we read of the transition to Israel wanting a king. Samuel’s sons did not follow in God’s or his way (a pattern all to oft repeated) and the people demand a king. God grants their request, after Samuel’s warning to them, of a king. They choose Saul. We will see in the coming days how this choice works out.

This idea of “the king” or the “one who is supreme”  and who “mediates between God and the people” is presented in the New Testament. Peter proclaims Jesus as Savior, the Christ of God. We even read that some will not taste death before they see God’s glory – and in the next section they do as we read that this takes place with the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration reveals that Jesus is the supreme King. Have you ever prayed or wished for Jesus, or God, to just show himself? At times I have heard colleagues, and I have probably prayed myself, “Lord just return, let’s get it done.” One issue with that is this is our will and not His. We ought to be careful what we ask for. Israel wanted a king and so God gave them Saul, standby for how this works out. The disciples were not looking for Jesus to reveal himself, but He did, and they did not know what to do.

For me it comes back to following, whether it is the Old Testament where the people cut down the Ashtatoth poles and stop following Baal, or the New Testament where Jesus says take up your cross and follow me – it all is about the same thing – accepting God’s love and responding…it is the only way…all other result in us imposing our wills on the situation and in the end we are pursuing something other than God – so let us take up our Cross and follow.

So which way will you go?