READ 1 Samuel 8
Israel demands a king from the Lord.
 
INSIGHT
The Lord intends to rule Israel by theocracy, which means that God will rule through a
man who will be His spokesman. In rejecting this method, the Israelites are not rejecting
Samuel but God. To be sure there is a problem with Samuel’s sons not walking after the
Lord, but rather than ask God for another theocratic administrator, they demand a
monarchy. In seeking to correct a legitimate problem, they make matters worse because
their motives are wrong. They have a selfish desire for a king like the nations around
them. When we see legitimate problems, we must be careful that we do not demand
wrong solutions. There is no substitute for pure motives when it comes to problem
Solving.

PRAYER
Praise the Lord because we need not fear His solutions to problems:
They will proclaim the power
Of your awe-inspiring acts,
And I will declare your greatness.  
They will give a testimony of your great goodness
And will joyfully sing of your righteousness.  
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger and great in faithful love.  
The Lord is good to everyone;  
His compassion rests on all he has made
(Psalm 145:6-9).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering.  
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God
(Psalm 51:16-17).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this
affirmation to the Lord:
Now this is his command: that we believe
In the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
And love one another as he commanded us
(1 John 3:23).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Greater faithfulness with your finances
• Revival among Christians in the USA
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to the King  
Eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God,  
Be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
(1 Timothy 1:17).