LONGING FOR A KING

1 Sam. 8:19-20 

“The people refused to listen to Samuel. ‘No!’ they said. ‘We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.’"

As we slog through this election season – hearing the same old promises, seeing re-makes of the same old TV ads – there is one thing that nags at the edges of my mind.  It is kind of like a little yappy dog that keeps nipping at your heels.  I don’t really want to think about it, but it won’t go away and I know I’ll eventually have to deal with it.  So here it is . . .

We are Americans.  I have always believed that means something . . . something special.  I’m the kind of guy who feels a stirring when I hear the National Anthem sung.  When I sing, “America! America! God shed His grace on thee. . .,” I believe it!   The United States has always been a little wiser, a little purer, a little kinder, a little tougher, and more blessed than any other nation on earth; except, perhaps, for Israel.  But, as we see in the verses above, even the people of Israel gave way to the temptation to set aside her special relationship with the true and living God in order to be “like all the other nations.” 

If we do likewise – clamor for a “king like the other nations have,” – then we will find ourselves slowly but surely becoming no wiser, no purer, no kinder, and just as weak as they are; and just as separated from the blessing of God.  I would prefer that we seek godly wisdom.  I would prefer holy revival.  I would prefer spiritual awakening.  

To the church in America, I say: Let’s not forget that our calling as a people is not to be like the other nations.   God has called us to be a holy people.  We were established as a “shining city on a hill.”  Our call is to be like Christ. 

--- Pastor Keith Andrews