Do not turn away...

1 Samuel 12:19-25

Assistance Promised. Then all the people feared the Lord and Samuel. 19 They said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for us, your servants, that we may not die for having added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.” 20 “Do not fear,” Samuel answered them. “You have indeed committed all this evil! Yet do not turn from the Lord, but serve him with your whole heart. 21 Do not turn aside to gods who are nothing, who cannot act and deliver. They are nothing. 22 For the sake of his own great name the Lord will not abandon his people, since the Lord has decided to make you his people. 23 As for me, far be it from me to sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you and to teach you the good and right way. 24 But you must fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart, for you have seen the great things the Lord has done among you. 25 If instead you continue to do evil, both you and your king shall be swept away.”

The Holy Spirit speaking to me through this scripture passage warns me of the danger of seeking Earthly figures to reign over me. As a musician and artist, oftentimes I seek for someone to help me actualize my art, to bring it about. What I have often forgotten is that the Lord himself was the one who bestowed these gifts on me, and when I seek after Him, and turn towards Him, my work has its proper effect. When I look to others to guide, lead, or direct me, I turn away from Him. This is different from seeking counsel, which is wise. At the end of the day, it is the Lord who directs us when we have hearts completely disposed to Him.

The Lord was somewhat offended by the fact that His people wanted a king to rule them. I imagine how a father would feel if his own son wanted to put some type of authority figure or mentor before the father when the father himself was leading, preserving, and guiding his child with great love.

Our Loving Father, however, permits other leadership for in the end it conducts us back into his loving embrace.