1 Sam 8:5- …Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
When God chose Israel, it was quickly noticed that they were like no other nation on earth. The Jews are, until this day, a monotheistic nation whose God is eternal and invisible. God chose Israel to bring forth His plan of salvation to mankind. God desired to lead and bring them into His purposes according to His perfect timing. You see, when it seems as though God is delaying, He is really working things out according to the counsel of His Own Will. In others words, He knows what’s best and will manifest what we have been praying for when the time is right. To force the issue by overly asserting ourselves and bringing forth what we want without the expressed consent of God’s timing is asinine. This is exactly what Israel did. They wanted a king to be like the surrounding nations around them. But the nations around them were idol worshippers; therefore, the nations did not know the One true and living God! If Israel couldn’t appreciate God’s ability to lead, most definitely a human would fail them. And he did. Oh, the irony! Israel helped him fail (I Sam. 15:3, 9-11, 14-15).
It is best to know God’s Will for our lives, rather than to want something just because someone else has it. You will never be happy with what you can get until you appreciate what you have. Ill-gains is a fool’s gold, “but godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Tim. 6:6). Let the world get rich, but be appreciative that God has supplied your needs (Philippians 4:19). Your job may not pay you as much as politicians, sport figures, movie stars, or CEOs make, but be grateful and thankful, for God has given you strength to work. Let God know you appreciate Him…. Let the wealthy get their possessions, land, and money. It all belongs to the believer! Prov. 13:22; 28:8; Ps. 37:9; 105:44.