Samuel's Grief, Samuel's Faith

 
Read 1 Samuel 8-12
 
1 Samuel 8:5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”
 
IT is a sad day when the people of God want to be “like all the other nations”. Samuel had led Israel back to a stronger faith in God, and they were safe in the Lord’s commands. He had raised his sons to do the same, and he gave them authority to rule in Israel.
   But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. (1 Samuel 8:3) They became as Eli’s immoral sons and put Israel in the line of God’s judgment. The elders’ solution, then, was not to repent and more earnestly seek God’s rule, but they wanted to appoint a worldly ruler to lead as other nations were ruled.
   It seems there is no change in mankind’s heart to this day. Since Christ’s resurrection, his church has many times become more as the world. Leaders for Christ have become politicians for their own purpose. The church’s language has been to appease a broken world but not to teach God’s saving truth. The King of the church said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36b) There is no salvation until the broken, sin-laden world knows that.
    
Samuel, Faithful Leader
 
1 Samuel 12:23-24 “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.”
 
AS Samuel’s rule and life come toward the end, the prophet teaches us in chapter 12 some essential qualities of a godly leader.
   First a God-centered leader points his people to remember God’s power to form and save them. He recounts Israel’s birth and then deliverance from Egypt. This is always a critical element of God’s story. For the Jews, their freedom from Egypt in God’s miraculous power was (and is for Orthodox Jews) the same as the cross and empty tomb are for us today. We are to always lead people to remember God has delivered us from sin and raised us to life.
   Second, Samuel leads his people to praise. To praise God means we thank God. Praise reminds us all life comes form the Creator and is his to sustain and empower.
   Third, Samuel commits to prayer. What powerful words, “Far be it from  me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.”  Prayer is essential for the godly leader. If one says, “I lead for Christ.” but fails to pray, it displays a lack of trust in God. For whom do you pray today? Do your prayers praise and thank God as well as petition him?
   Fourth, Samuel commits to teach the way that is good and right. What else is there to do when you say, “I follow Christ. I lead others to see Jesus.”
   Fifth, the faithful judge encourages a proper fear of God, “Be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him.” Again, this fear is a reverent worship. We know and acknowledge God is holy and sovereign. Samuel desired his people revere God and obey his commands.
   These are five good points to guide our lives.