I Samuel 8:18
“Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”
There are some difficult truths in the bible. Today’s passage is one of them. There are some choices that can’t be undone. The people wanted to be represented by a king. Thus not being directly (or through a prophet) represented by God. The Lord would not allow them to return to that style. All of this is before the fact. But this warning wasn’t enough to prevent them from proceeding.
The same is true for some things in our lives. Once one is addicted to something, the original state of innocence can’t be returned to. Once some relationships are strained, those won’t allow reconciliation. This is sad, but outside of a miracle, we can’t go back. It’s like our original parents partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. That state of innocence is gone.
This doesn’t mean that the Lord stops loving us. We can still have a great relationship with Him. It’s that He won’t always stop the reaping and sowing process. Pastor Chuck Smith would provide the analogy of driving a nail into a piece of wood. The nail can be removed, but the wood is marred with a nail hole. Some actions can’t be reversed.
This is why the book of Proverbs calls out to the young man to stay away from the prostitute. Proverbs 6:26 says, “For on account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread, And an adulteress hunts for the precious life.” Much is spoken about addiction these days. The human drives and appetites are what is triggered. I John 3:8 says, “Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The typical areas of weakness are codependent relationships, substances, porn, greed and so on.
The Lord will help us in whatever state we are in. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” He will be wth us in comfort and strength.
Lord, help us to be wise with our choices and pursuits. Thank You that You are with us in all circumstances.