Where Do You Get Directions?

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 8

Scripture Focus: But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations.” (1 Samuel 8.19-20a)

Devotional Thought: Travelling from Sturgis, Michigan to Canton, Ohio, I thought it would be fun to drive on US 6 – a highway from my childhood. I had briefly consulted a map, but it soon became apparent that I did not have enough information. I turned on the GPS, but instead of following the instructions, I kept trying to figure out a way to make my original plan work – to follow US 6 as far as I could before turning south. I ended up backtracking and crisscrossing all the way across northern Ohio, spending at least an extra hour on the trip – all because I refused to listen to the information that was within my reach.

Several years ago, Lana and I had the privilege of hosting Christian and Monica Boseff in our home. The Boseffs are pastors from Romania, and they also run a shelter to rescue ladies and children from human trafficking. I was curious about the mood of Romanians concerning same-sex marriage. They told me that Romanians are staunchly against redefining marriage. They went on to say, however, that the European Union was putting pressure on Romania to come to Western Europe’s way of thinking – to accept and validate homosexual marriages. There is intense economic and social pressure for Romania to be “like all the nations.”

The people of Israel in Samuel's day, wanted to be like the nations around them. Those nations had a king over them. God warned them what a king would do to them, but they insisted: "There shall be a king over us!"

Where are you getting your guidelines for what is proper and moral behavior? From the nations and people around you? Or are you getting them from the Lord?

Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, when I turn to sources other than you. It is so easy to live by sight and not by faith. Help me to block out the voices of worldly wisdom, and follow your true wisdom. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 77.16-20

16 When the waters saw you, O God,

when the waters saw you, they were afraid;

indeed, the deep trembled.

17 The clouds poured out water;

the skies gave forth thunder;

your arrows flashed on every side.

18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;

your lightnings lighted up the world;

the earth trembled and shook.

19 Your way was through the sea,

your path through the great waters;

yet your footprints were unseen.

20 You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.