Learning the Hard Way
I know, I know. Where have I been in the last year and a half-ish? Life has a way of getting in the way, huh?
I’ve definitely been in the adjustment phase of life since resigning from my job in April of 2023. I’ve been learning how to manage the expectations of running my home full time, homeschooling two kiddos while also caring for a newborn, and helping my husband run his business. I’ve spent a lot of time, on and off, contemplating if I was following God just exactly the way He wanted me to. I’ve searched, and sometimes failed, to find a Bible study that would help me replenish my cup just as quickly as I was finding it emptied. It’s been a JOURNEY, but I wouldn’t trade it nonetheless.
Lately, I’ve found myself hearing the familiar knocking on my heard. God’s been saying “hey, remember that platform I called you to? Remember how deep in study you were, how excited and FULL you were? Let’s get back to that.” I’m not going to lie. I’ve wrestled with it for quite some time. I always feel so inadequate to share what little knowledge I have. I think that I don’t have the words that could possibly reach someone or help them along. But, here I sit. I’m back. Hold me accountable ya’all!
Despite the title of today’s post, it actually isn’t about ME learning something the hard way (though I’ve definitely done my fair-share of that throughout my 31 years on this beautiful Earth). It’s actually a story that comes from 1 Samuel 8. I’ve started working my way through reading the Bible again, using the devotion “40 Days through the Bible” by Lysa Terkeurst. It has been an enlightning read as I journey through God’s word again.
In chapter 8 of first Samuel, the Israelites were begging Samuel to give them a king. They spent their time looking around at the nations surrounding them, and wishing they had the safety and security that they thought their neighbors had. Like all good leaders, Samuel took his people’s request to God. God told Samuel a few things: 1. Don’t worry, because they’re not rejecting you, they’re rejecting me. 2. Warn them of all of the bad things that they will ultimately face FROM their king if they have one. Do you know what the Israelites did? They heard God’s warnings, and they STILL demanded a king. They refused to obey Samuel’s voice, speaking words directly from the Lord (how often do we do that?). Samuel, again, takes his worries and the people’s request to the Lord and, do you know what God did? He told Samuel to let them have their king.
A few things really stuck out to me from this brief story. First, it was easy to see what happens when we covet others. For the Israelites, in this instance, they were coveting the nations around them. They THOUGHT that an Earthly kind would bring them safety and protection. But, that is so untrue? Our ultimate protection and safety comes from our HEAVENLY king. Second, the Israelites were so quick to turn away from what God was saying to them. They were unwilling to hear God’s instructions for their path through a man of God. We are so much like these Israelites! We want things how WE want them, WHEN we want them, and we ignore all of the direction God sends our way. My friends, we need to heed God’s warnings and His word instead of learning things the hard way. Ultimately, God knows best. Not us. He authors our stories. Last, in verse 30 it says “…and that our king may judge us, and go before us, and fight our battles.” They wanted someone to fight for them; to allow them to rest their weary souls and abide in peace. But you see, they got it all wrong! The only one who can give us true rest and allow us to abide in peace is not man. The only one who can truly fight our battles in Jesus Christ himself.
So, my friends. Let’s strive to be UNLIKE the Israelites. Let’s set our eyes on the One who can give us peace. The One who can give us rest and fight our battles for us. Let’s set our eyes on Christ!
