I Samuel 8:22
‘”The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice and appoint them a king.” So Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”’
Samuel obeys the Lord. Even though it’s on a difficult point. He is God’s representative to the people. They no longer want that type of rulership. They wanted a king. They’ve been warned about the negatives. They’re not budging. Samuel sees this as a rejection of him and God. They are greatly privileged by this attention, yet they grew tired of it. The Lord tells him to proceed. He obeys.
We also are to be obedient. Jesus is now our Lord. When we come to Christ, He takes on two roles in our lives, lord and savior. Everyone wants “the savior” part. He offers us eternity with Him in heaven. However, to get that we must also submit to “the lord” part (Romans 10:9).
How does lordship play out in our daily lives? While we plan our way, the Lord directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). When we make our plans, we aren’t to transgress any scripture. Also, as the Lord directs our steps, we might not be pleased with the direction. However, we are to submit to Him, just as Jesus did. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed that if there was another way in which people might be redeemed other than the cross, let it be so. But He concluded, “not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus obeyed and went to the cross.
The Lord has the best for us. I Corinthians 2:9 says, ‘but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”‘ Knowing this helps with obedience. If He tells us “no”, it’s for our best. It may be that thing He wants us to do without or maybe He’s working on an attitude.
In time, it get easier and more natural. By experience we learn that it’s a privilege that the God of the universe cares and wants to be involved with us. This guidance is like a wood chip in a stream, we get diverted and spun around constantly. Instead of being stressed out, we should see it as an adventure.
Jesus commented on this in John 3:8, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” He was no exception, God guided Him that way, as well.
Obedience isn’t always easy. Hebrews 5:8 says, “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” We might have a difficult person or a trying circumstance. We also learn obedience by the things we suffer.
Thank You, Lord, that You’ve got our best in mind. Help us to keep that thought as we face these tough times. Help us to obey in all circumstances.