Wanting What You Shouldn't Have

I Sam. 8:19-20  But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning.  “Even so, we still want a king,” they said.  “We want to be like the nations around us.  Our king will govern us and lead us into battle.”

Up until this time Israel had no king.  God had provided judges to lead them and bring them back to Him.  There history was very unsteady, but it was obvious that God was watching over them and taking care of them.  God had raised us Samuel to be their judge, but it was obvious that his life was drawing to a close and there was no one qualified to step into his shoes.

The people of Israel needed someone to lead them.  They looked around them and noticed the way other nations were governed by kings.  They decided that that was what they wanted.  “We want to be like the nations around us.”  To want what others have or to be like others is a very dangerous place to be.

God knows best what we need.  He alone knows what we need.  He alone is wise enough to determine what we can handle and what we can’t.  The Lord does not give us what others have because He knows that if we had it, it would not be in our best interests.  Having more than we have or something different than we have would become for us a snare.  We would let it interfere with our relationship with God.  It would take prominence in our lives that would not be good for us.

Contentment with what God provides is what gives us peace and joy in living.  Living the life we are given makes life meaningful and worth the living.  God knows what He is doing.  Keep your eyes off of what you don’t have.  If the Lord wants you to have it, He will give it to you.  Enjoy what He has provided for you and let Him use you just the way you are. 

Discontentment leads the soul into sin and the consequences are never good.