(270) 27 September : Proverbs 17v4 / 1 Samuel 8v1-10v16 / Psalm 65v1-4

BEGIN WITH PRAYER

"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.

Wisdom to chew on

Proverbs 17:4

Understanding to grow in

Just as was the case with Gideon, Israel again ask for a king for the wrong reasons. They do not want a king to help them obey and honour God, they want one to be like the nations, and to go out before them and fight their battles (8v20). This is a blatant rejection of God. He had called the to be set-apart from the nations, and previously it was he who led them into battle in the ark and fought for them. Likewise we should guard against desiring the sort of celebrity leaders in our churches that are so esteemed in the media or business today, looking to them to give us success. Instead, we should seek out those who will lead us in reliance upon God - looking ultimately to Jesus as just this sort of king. God does, nevertheless, grant the people's request. But the long narrative shows that he remains in ultimate control, acting through the faithful Samuel. Saul can only act as king by God's transforming power, symbolised by the Spirit of the LORD coming upon him. As you read note how God's hand is evident.
1 Samuel 8:1-10:16

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:

1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.

2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up

You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.

Psalm 65:1-4

·       For introductions to the various Bible books click here.

·       To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here