Perceive: Samuel’s characterization of Israelite kings is an excellent description of government yesterday and today. As the government grows, so grows the need for more resources. Just like human resources are wanted for a monarchy's maintenance, money and equipment resources are wanted for increasing entitlements for domestic causes as well as local and national defense. Unfortunately, large quantities of materials are needed to sustain a bureaucracy. The bigger the bureaucracy, the more resources are required. Unfortunately, take, and more take is the standard process for growing government.
 
Practice: Placing this growing burden on the backs of citizens eventually reduces them to slaves.  The people cried out for relief from the king as though he were an enemy, and the Lord was slow to answer and give them comfort. We too have a choice in whom we elect as our leaders. Poor decisions can have enormous consequences. Today, far too many people feel their leaders are an enemy to their way of life and it seems like the Lord is slow to answer. Could it be that we are reaping the consequence of misplaced faith?
 
Pray: Lord, help me today to pray for those who are in governing positions of our nation. Convict our political leaders of their need to see your face, to know Your word, and to make laws that help all the people live better lives. Convict them of their sin.

​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

​​Perceive: Samuel was a godly man and even though the request of the people disturbed him, he took it to the Lord in prayer and the Lord answered him. His people wanted a change in their nation but not in their hearts. What they needed was a rekindled faith in God not a trust in a strong-willed man. When we seek God to lead us but continue to live by the world’s standards and values, our faith is flawed and weak. God must lead the heart and rule the mind.

Practice: The people wanted to be like the neighboring nations. Unfortunately, having a king would make it easy to forget that God was their real leader. The rule of God over Israel in a theocratic nation was the ideal. Samuel is concerned and possibly confused, so he prays for clarity and guidance.
 
Pray: O mighty God, help me see Your hand in my life and to continue giving Your full rule and reign over my heart and mind. Keep me from allowing the world to impact my faith but rather help me use my faith to impact the world. Help my home, church, state, and nation rekindle trust in You.

​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Changes in leadership often reveal the real character of followers. In this situation, Samuel’s sons were so bad that even their father could not deny the people’s concerns. It is in the solution, Samuel struggles. The people wanted a king to lead just like other nations. In reality, the people were rejecting God and His divine leadership for a nation that runs on human inspiration and presence. The situation for us is similar: Do we rely on God’s strength and direction or follow the way of the world and human reasoning?
 
Practice: The people wanted a king, thinking a new leader and a new system of government would bring about real change for the nation. Because their fundamental problem was disobedience, their other problems would continue regardless of who was leading and or governing. They needed a united faith, not a uniform ruler. Our obedience is weak if we ask God to lead our personal life and continue to live by the world’s standards and values.
 
Pray: O Lord, show me when I have placed myself on the throne of my heart. Help me live each day according to Your word and Your will. 

​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com