I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 10. “Then Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah, and said to the children of Israel, Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all kingdoms and from those who oppressed you.’  But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans” (Verses 17-19). Israel completely missed it, the opportunity for repentance. God at this very moment is giving them an opportunity to realize their sin and return to Him. But, alas they did not see the door. They traded the infallibility of God for the limitations of man. I feel saddened for Israel and for humanity at large. Why? Because this is our M.O.  We want what we want and many times God gives it to us, but in the process He reminds us that the choice we are making means that we are rejecting Him. And right here is the moment of decision, do we continue to reject God or do we return and repent. The problem. We often miss the moment, because we are so focused on our wants we can’t hear God talk. Israel heard, the “here is you king” part, but missed the “you are rejecting God” part. History tells us which of the two really was the better choice. Here’s our lesson: don’t be so caught up in our wants, that we reject God.