I want to start by saying that Steve Lewis is an awesome guy!!! Reader’s Digest subscriptions and address books do not define a man, but if they did it would tell us that Steve enjoys reading… making him smart, and that he likes people… making him friendly! Seriously, if you don’t know Steve, you’re missing out.
I would also like to make known that I am unschooled in 90’s & 00’s pop/r&b and totally joked about a song that Mary J. Blige in fact does not sing… apologies to Blu Cantrell. Now that I got those two disclaimers out of the way… onward.
Kings throughout history are notorious for the power they wield. It’s not that every monarch has been awful, but there is a stigma that you never want to cross one, as Sir Thomas More would attest. When we think about God as king, and even declare Him King of kings, it is only natural to want to tip toe around Him. I better be nice, or else. I better obey, or else. I better live in fear of God’s judgement and wrath, or else I just might be on the wrong end of it. However, part of understanding that God is King of kings goes beyond the reality that He is eternally omnipotent and sovereign. He is also unique to all others.
What we see in 1 Samuel 8-10 is not this eternal King ready to relinquish his throne, but rather a gracious and humble King willing to serve. Even though Israel asks for a king and gets one, it is important to understand that it is God who provides. Saul is not the product of happenstance and Israel’s vanity. He is the product of God’s providential hand orchestrating events behind the scenes for his ultimate purposes. Israel rejected God as her king but let’s not get it twisted! God didn’t just succumb to the people and lay down his power at their request. He gave them what they wished for — a man to lead HIS people.
When Israel made a selfish choice, God made a humble one. How often does he do that for us? Thank you, Jesus!