Follow Christ, Not the World
Dear Reading Friends, this is David Telbat. As I study through First Samuel in my personal Bible study time, I have found various lessons that apply to this moment in time in America's last days. As a mentor to new and growing believers, I'm eager to find fresh perspectives in the Bible to teach the men age-old truths. Though you may be anticipating my next novel release, I encourage you to continue your own careful study of God's inspired Word.
Many of us who read the Bible regularly know that in First Samuel 8, the nation of Israel rejected God by choosing a human king to rule over them. Did you know that leaders who had failed in Israel was Israel's justification for rejecting God? The following are two lessons from Israel’s errors. We see how it happened and how we can avoid making the same mistake.
1. They Judged Rightly
Samuel the prophet had two sons who he appointed over Israel. However, his sons were dishonest and corrupt. For once, Israel as a nation recognized that their leaders did not walk after God (1 Samuel 8:5).
It is good that Israel recognized they had bad leaders. Israel didn't always recognize when their leaders were evil, but this time they did. Like Israel in that moment, it is appropriate for us to recognize and identify evil leaders in our own government. We should never call evil good or good evil (Proverbs 17:15). Identifying what is wrong is always a first step to change or repentance.
2. They Responded Wrongly
When Israel identified the evil rulers they had, they sadly did not respond in a way that pleased God. They rightly identified the wrong, but then responded to evil by turning away from God! Man's failures were used to justify Israel's rejection of God. Israel wanted a human king, not God as their King. God called this a rejection of Himself (1 Samuel 8:7).
Today, God's people are stunned to realize how immoral and corrupt many of America's highest leaders have become. However, what is our response? We must never justify taking self-pleasing paths just because leaders have failed us. Our response should remain biblical: imitate Christ, not the world.
Just because you can judge a situation rightly doesn't mean that we will automatically respond rightly. In this sinful and deceptive era in our nation (government, media, social climate, etc.), let us pause and seek God's will before responding.
Don't design your own remedies. Or as Isaiah 50:10-11 tells us, don't light your own fire when it gets dark. Just wait for God's light. (my paraphrase)
See you on the next page!
David Telbat
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COMING UP: Join us next time (Mar 6) for a special treat: “An Interview with Character Titus Caspertein”! Get a peek into David’s next books, The ELM Series!
If you missed our last newsletter, you can find it here.
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