1 Samuel 8:19-20

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.“

1 Samuel 8:19-20

God had laid it all out for the Israelites that their desire to have a king like the other nations, rather than allowing God to rule over them, would cost them greatly. The king would require of them their land, their sons and daughters to serve in the army and the king’s palace, taxes, and their land as well. Their sin would have consequences, and would cost them greatly. Yet we still read, “Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel.” Their minds were made up. They were sure that they knew better and that none of things of which Samuel warned them would come to pass.

Knowing the consequences of sin doesn’t stop people from partaking in it. If it did, no one would smoke anymore. Smoking turns your lungs black and causes cancer, but people still do it. No one would be driving drunk or take drugs since we now know the consequences of those bad habits. Yet people still do all of those things.

To truly be free from sin, man needs to be born again, obeying in our hearts the word of God that saved us, thus becoming bondservants of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). God help us to allow Him to truly rule and reign in our hearts.

Pastor Doug Hardin