And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 1 Samuel 8.7

God delivered Israel from the hands of the Philistines in such a way that they never rose up again against His people in the days of Samuel. However, as soon as there was peace, the Israelites forgot about the Lord again, including the sons of prophet Samuel (v.3).

Once again, Scripture shows that it is useless to receive only blessings, miracles, and great deliverance through faith when there isn’t a new birth, a genuine surrender to God because the achievements will only cause people to become complacent and forget about God.

These people had seen God deliver him from FIVE Philistine princes during the confrontation in Mizpah. There were five Philistine princes – and Israel didn’t even have a king. But because the King of kings was with them, Israel annihilated the enemy. But what did the people do? Did they look to God? No. They looked at the enemies’ way of life and told Samuel, “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” (v.5)

God has felt rejected, like He has been rejected nowadays by many who prefer the way of life of unbelieversinstead of obedience to His Word. They do not want the Lord to reign over them, but they accept other things and people to reign over their lives.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven… Matthew 6.10

• Do you seek God for His blessings or for Him?
• Do you long to live the same lifestyle as the people of the world, and therefore have difficulty surrendering yourself to God?
• Are you aware that if God does not reign over you, other things and people are reigning over you (and you are their slave)?

The greatest testimony is to be born of God. Put a stone over the old you today, and He will make you be born again.