When God's Leadership Is Compromised by Brother Curtis Hansen

                 This morning, we are going to read from the book of 1 Samuel chapter 8. We will begin reading at verse 1. The title of this message is when God's leadership is compromised.

        And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

        2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.

        3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgement.

        4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

        5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

        6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.

        7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

        8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so they also unto thee.

        9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice, howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

        In the scripture reading, we see that Israel was at a crossroads in their future. Before I get into my message, I want to preface it by saying that the gospel requires repentance and faith. Samuel is old, the future is uncertain, and the people are anxious and concerned. The elders of Israel went to Samuel to speak to the prophet how bad his sons were. 

        There are 2 options for the immediate future. 1) We can seek the Lord's face and pursue him or 2) You get to give advice to the almighty, as if he isn't in the know with the nuances of our lives. We often select the 2nd option.

        The elders went to the prophet. They didn't do a deal in secret in a secluded back room or circumvent Samuel's authority. Asking for a king is not a political request but rather a spiritual rejection. End of the year moments and reflections show the same things. Fear of the future. Distrust of spiritual leadership. God gave you both prophets and judges but not kings. A desire to conform to the world is ties to our impatience with God's time. God will speak in many different directions.

        Let's examine closer the first 3 verses. Samuel's sons didn't walk like their father. They took bribes, perverted judgement and took money by questionable means. The elders recognized the corruption but failed to change it.

        In verses 4 and 5 the people in charge, the elders, wanted a system they could see. When fear drives our beliefs, we place a premium of politics over prayer. Government over God, Insurance over faith. Retirements over obedience. We need to understand where our help is in life. None of these things are evil but not there to replace God. Know where your help is. These things are made for you to use and not surrender to. We choose between safety and holiness. Holiness is not safe.

        God allows but he doesn't approve. There are promises and laws. The scariest thing God allows is man using his free will. Why do the people want a king? It was to raise an army to count. How do we know it's a problem? Because David was told not to do it. In having a king, they could create policies they could track.

        Your help is not coming from anywhere else but God. The people in the scripture reading thought they knew better. Results are going to be predictable. The people could see, touch, and taste the results. We prefer control over faith we can't see but exercise.

        Self-control is freedom. Paul's definition is free will. Permission is not acceptance. The devil wants your decisions to be emotional and impulsive. Permission doesn't equal blessings. You will eventually face judgement.

        A king the people could see instead of God who they are to trust. Israel wanted safety but got servitude. Whatever your resolution is, if it's not outside your comfort zone, you may be in servitude. 

        Traded freedom for comfort. The danger is God will give you what you want.