1 Samuel 8:9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
Conformity exacts payment. Sometimes it’s pretty steep. Being like everyone else means denying the individual parts of yourself. Sometimes those who control “the group” expect the followers to openly shun those who can’t or don’t conform. Chances are good that those who are trying to conform are doing so to end or avoid shunning.
1 Samuel 8:10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king.
Yet even with the warning, they still want to go the route of everybody else. “Give us a king! Give us a king!” And today’s verses are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to warnings. But isn’t that human nature? Even when we know the cost, we still pay the price. God wants to free us from that. He wants us to trust Him even when we are afraid.
1 Samuel 8:11a He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights:
Precious Savior, You know that trusting You when I am afraid is still so hard. Thank You for whispering to my heart again and again and again that You will never leave me nor forsake me, that I can trust You, always. Help me not to be afraid. Amen.
1 Samuel 8:11b …He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.
Have a blessed day.