The Lord, HE is GOD!

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Devotional of the Week:

Job 5:8,9 - "But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause - Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number."

God is an everlasting and powerful God. He is capable of anything he wishes and He is who we turn to for support. Because He has allowed us to be His children, then it is to Him that we commit our lives and ourselves. In these powerful verses from Job, we see both what and why we should seek God in all things. Our cause is to see to it that His kingdom be moving upon this earth; that His name be lifted high. He is God Almighty, He is our fortress and our shield and He is worthy to be praised. May your life honor Him and give glory to Him in the coming days.

Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, we praise you in all things. We seek to do your will and ask that you use us in a mighty way in the coming week. Show us how to glorify you through our actions, through our praises and through proclaiming your name. May your kingdom move upon this earth, and may we carry the banner of our King! Thank you for saving us and for allowing us into your eternal kingdom. We praise you and we thank you, in Jesus mighty name, Amen!

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Mini-Study of the Week: Read 1 Samuel Chapter 8

As we dive back into our study of 1 Samuel, we jump forward to chapter 8. In this chapter we begin to see that the people of Israel are beginning to show displeasure. Samuel has decided to appoint his sons judges over the people of Israel. From the time of Abraham on it has been understood that the only ruler Israel would ever have would be God himself. God would appoint Judges to act on His behalf, but He was the sole and sovereign ruler over His people. In chapter 8 we see the people starting to rebel against that notion. They demanded to have a king.

It does not appear that Samuel's sons were so profane and vicious as Eli's sons; but they were corrupt judges. Samuel took no bribes, but his sons did, and then they perverted judgment. What added to the grievance of the people was, that they were threatened by an invasion from Nahash, king of the Ammonites.

Samuel was displeased with the request of the people; he could patiently bear what reflected on himself, and his own family; but it displeased him when they said, Give us a king to judge us, because that reflected upon God. It drove him to his knees. When any thing disturbs us, it is our interest, as well as our duty, to show our trouble before God.

As God answers our prayers today, so did He answer Samuel's prayers that day. What did God reply? Samuel is to tell them that they shall have a king. Not that God was pleased with their request, but as sometimes he opposes us from loving-kindness, so at other times he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. God knows how to bring glory to himself, and serves his own wise purposes, even by men's foolish counsels. If they would have a king to rule them, as the eastern kings ruled their subjects, they would find the yoke exceedingly heavy.

Those that submit to the government of the world and the flesh, are told plainly, what hard masters they are, and what tyranny the dominion of sin is. The law of God and the manner of men widely differ from each other; the former should be our rule in the several relations of life; the latter should be the measure of our expectations from others. These would be their grievances, and, when they complained to God, he would not hear them.

When we bring ourselves into distress by our own wrong desires and projects, we justly forfeit the comfort of prayer, and the benefit of Divine aid. The people were obstinate and urgent in their demand. Sudden resolves and hasty desires make work for long and leisurely repentance. Our wisdom is, to be thankful for the advantages, and patient under the disadvantages of the government we may live under; and to pray continually for our rulers, that they may govern us in the fear of God, and that we may live under them in all godliness and honesty.

Next week we will see whom God appoints. Our story will pick up with the introduction of one of Scriptures most fascinating people. The man called King Saul...

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Video of the Week:

We serve a MIGHTY GOD... We should never be ashamed to proclaim His name and His gospel!




Until next week, love each other, share His love and share His gospel...

See you next week!
In His Service,
Sergio