Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Are You Rebellious?


Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to His voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD's commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. But if you rebel against the LORD's commands and refuse to listen to Him, then His hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors. 1 Samuel 12:14-15

This was part of Samuel’s farewell address. He was warning the Israelites that they needed to obey God’s commandment—and not be rebellious. If they refused to listen to Him—refused to respect Him—then they would face punishment. The Israelites wanted a king like the other nations around them, not the Lord God as their king. So God gave them a king. King Saul. Asking for, actually demanding a king, was an act of rebellion—so they asked Samuel to pray to God for them. He assured them that they were still God’s chosen people—He would not abandon them. Samuel warned them again.

"As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you. But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away." 1 Samuel 12:23-25

Have you ever been rebellious against the Lord—demanding something from Him? My mother told me I was her rebellious, problem child. I remember trying to smoke a cigarette at the coaxing of some friends who were older. They smoked and thought it was a hoot that I was willing to try it. I just wanted to please them. I was such a people pleaser even in my teens. Needless to say I did not enjoy smoking and never took up that habit. Still Mom was a little worried. Was smoking a rebellious act against God? The Bible doesn’t tell us…thou shall not smoke, but it does say that we are a Temple for God.

Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Probably more important is that by honoring my mother and father, I would be honoring God—showing Him respect by obeying His commandment.

Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

It’s spring—and there are lots of wild flowers in bloom everywhere. Wild flowers—are they rebellious? They grow unruly, disorderly, uncontrolled, and recklessly abandoned. God created them just as they are—beautiful. Can we be as beautiful in His eyes as those wild, rebellious flowers?

Prayer ~ Lord God, regarding Israel, You said, "All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious." From  Romans 10:21. May the people of Israel see You, Jesus, as their long awaited Messiah. May we all seek to live our lives in ways that are pleasing to You—no rebellion—even if we feel like a wild flower.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 106-107

© 2017 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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