Hi everyone. It's Tania and welcome to the Moms for Christ podcast. The Word for today comes from 1 Samuel, chapter 8, verses 4 to 5 and it says, “So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, ‘You are old and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.’”

"The people of Israel wanted to do what the world was doing because they thought it would be easier."

During this time the Israelites were led by God. God appointed prophets and judges to speak to and to lead the people. The Israelites came to Samuel, the prophet at the time, asking for a king - just like all the other nations. They wanted a king because Samuel’s sons were not properly following the Lord. The nation of Israel is a nation set apart from everyone else - a holy nation. Yet their desire was to be like everyone else. The nation of Israel wanted a king that they could see and hear to lead them.

"It's the Lord who knows what is right for you…who loves you and desires to lead you in His righteousness."

As a parent, we can all say we've heard it - I can also admit I have either said it or thought it - “Everyone else is doing it. I want to do what everyone else is doing.” Maybe you've never said it, but every time you do something on your own, that is exactly what you say to the Lord. “No, I don't want You to be my King. I'm going to be like everyone else.”

"We are a people set apart. No longer walking in our own ways, which is darkness, but in His wonderful light."

The people of Israel wanted to do what the world was doing because they thought it would be easier. The same is true sometimes for us, or even our children - waiting on the Lord instead of just moving seems silly. It's the Lord who knows what is right for you. It's the Lord who loves you and desires to lead you in His righteousness. As a parent or a friend, you may have some experience in the situation. You know the mistakes, and over time you have learned the best way to do it. Naturally, your desire would be to teach your children or your friend the right way to do it. Sometimes it's not the same way everyone else is doing it, but it's the right way.

It's the same with the Lord. His desire is to teach us the right way to live our lives. For the Christian, God has called us, just like the Jews. In 1 Peter, chapter 2, verse 9, it says, “But you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” We are a people set apart. No longer walking in our own ways, which is darkness, but in His wonderful light.

Lord, thank You for Your wonderful light. I pray that when our heart desires to do things like everyone else, we would remember who we are. I pray that we would remember Your love and choose to walk in Your wonderful light, desiring You to be our only King. Amen. God bless and have a wonderful week. I will speak to you again soon.