I Samuel 10:18-19
“‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt. I delivered you from Egyptian oppression—yes, from all the bullying governments that made your life miserable. And now you want nothing to do with your God, the very God who has a history of getting you out of troubles of all sorts. And now you say, ‘No, we want a king. Give us a king.’”
“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, has declared: I brought you from Egypt and rescued you from the Egyptians and from all of the nations that were oppressing you. But though I have rescued you from your misery and distress, you have rejected your God today and have said, ‘No, we want a king instead!’’”
Israel got lazy in their relationship with God. They did not see him as their deliverer nor look for his fingerprints on all that happened to them. Their half-hearted following of God resulted in partial deliverance from their neighbor’s oppression. It was a time when, “People did whatever they felt like doing.” (Judges 21:25) Faith is required to see God at work. Evidence must be teased out from our circumstances. It takes effort but is the grandest, most thrilling, scavenger hunt ever. Don’t become complacent as Israel was. God is always up to something. Look for it.
Lord, I love seeing your hand all over the history I like to read. Grace me to see your work in the present too. Thank you for the perspective of age that has proven your continual reaching out to me, always guiding and protecting. Help me to pass it on to others.