The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 8:7,
"Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king."
There are those who refuse the Lord, who disobey the Lord, who reject the things of the Lord. In Samuel's day, on this occasion, the folks wanted a human king, rejecting the Lord as their king. Samuel was Israel's last judge and its current leader, and he was very displeased with them for wanting a human king. As he took the issue to the Lord, the Lord pointed out that their rejection of Samuel was, in fact, their rejection of God. The point was made by the Lord to encourage Samuel to understand who exactly it was the people were rejecting.
People have always rejected God since the fall of mankind in the garden of Eden. Since that time, those who find themselves representing God (as did Adam and Eve's son, Abel) often feel the rejection of those who oppose God (as did Adam and Eve's other son, Cain). John tells us, "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13. The world hates believers because they are God's people. The hatred of God finds its expression against the people of God.
Here is a fascinating observation Jesus made to his followers, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me... Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'" John 15:18-25.
"Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king."
There are those who refuse the Lord, who disobey the Lord, who reject the things of the Lord. In Samuel's day, on this occasion, the folks wanted a human king, rejecting the Lord as their king. Samuel was Israel's last judge and its current leader, and he was very displeased with them for wanting a human king. As he took the issue to the Lord, the Lord pointed out that their rejection of Samuel was, in fact, their rejection of God. The point was made by the Lord to encourage Samuel to understand who exactly it was the people were rejecting.
People have always rejected God since the fall of mankind in the garden of Eden. Since that time, those who find themselves representing God (as did Adam and Eve's son, Abel) often feel the rejection of those who oppose God (as did Adam and Eve's other son, Cain). John tells us, "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13. The world hates believers because they are God's people. The hatred of God finds its expression against the people of God.
Here is a fascinating observation Jesus made to his followers, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me... Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'" John 15:18-25.
When you find a rejection among family, friends or neighbors as you share the Lord with them, be mindful it is the Lord that is being rejected. And, if they reject you because of it, what a wonderful position to be in: rejected together with the Lord! It would be wonderful if they didn't reject the Lord, but if they do, it is the Lord that is being rejected. If you get tossed out because of the Lord, is there any other place you would rather be?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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