When Offering a Crown

In 1st Samuel 8, Israel asks for a king: "There shall be 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." They reject God as their king; He is not visible to them, and His kingship over them makes them unique from other nations when they would prefer to be lockstep with them.

They are warned by Samuel of the result of choosing a human king over God:

• He will take your sons (v. 11-12)
• He will take your daughters (v. 13)
• He will take the best of your property (v. 14)
• He will take off the top from what you have harvested. (v. 15)
• He will take your servants (v. 16)
• He will take your animals (v. 17)
• You will be his slaves (v. 17)

Yet they are adamant in this desire. They go through with it, knowing what the consequences will be. It's hard to believe that they didn't see Samuel as credible; no, they had all the facts and chose to give up their best in their desire to be subject to something tangible. They made the deal none of us in our right mind would make. Or would we?

I think there's a clear and relevant lesson here. 

If you want to serve something other than God, want it at the head of your life, with power over your emotions and your schedule and your energy, you've got to expect it to take your best. What do you trust and serve more than God? Where does your hope lie? Money? Your job? The fate of your college football team? A relationship? Your child's youth sports career?

it's going to cost you. And what it will cost is your best. It will cost something of your family, of your kids and your spouse and everyone who is a part of your household. It's going to require resources from you that you won't even question giving, whether those resources are fleeting funds, or the more precious commodity of time. You may be ready for it to bring you enjoyment, but are you ready to serve it? Do you know that you already are?

Serving God as king is going to heavily influence the best of your family and finances and time and property as well. But it will draw all of those heavenward, firmly planted in a solid foundation. It will bring true and lasting joy.

I've made a lot of things king in my life that weren't God. Coaching. Reputation. Tangible success. I could have made them acts of service under the kingship of God, but I'd be kidding myself if I said that was always the case. I gave them a crown and got out of them exactly what I thought I would. Yet it was never as good as I thought it would be. And there was always a steep price - usually the best I had to offer.

Choose your king wisely.