Unfortunately, people have a short memory and would forget God again, be defeated, enslaved and then repent again.  God once again forgave them.  Samuel pointed out that asking for an earthly king to rule over them was “evil in the sight of the Lord”.  God knew that He alone should be their king and what terrible situations would occur from a human king.  I’m sure we all can recall examples of leaders gone wild.  Those with a great amount of power have the tendencies or temptations to become arrogant, abusive, self-centered unless they have a heart for God.  To show God’s power Samuel called upon the Lord to shock and awe the people.  This convinced them to repent and ask for forgiveness.

 

In my life I certainly have turned away from God.  I didn’t intentionally try to defy God, but still did by choosing a path that seemed right for me.  It was more than likely not what God would have wanted.  Somehow I justified it to make myself feel better, but deep down I knew that things were not quite right.  Once I came to the realization that I was wrong, I would ask for forgiveness.  I am reminded of a story about my granddaughter who was two years old at the time. She was hitting the TV console with a stick and with every stoke she said, “Sorry, Mommy. Sorry Mommy.” She knew was she was doing was wrong and that she just had to say sorry to be forgiven.  I feel that I’m not too far from that more often than not.  I know what is wrong, but I keep on doing it then I ask for forgiveness.  I feel that I’ve let him down when I do something wrong or didn’t act in a way becoming of a follower. As I become closer to God I am much more aware of my actions and how they affect me and others around me.  I feel a transformation taking place in my life where I am starting to put my selfish actions away and looking for what God would want me to do.  I am certainly a work in progress because I know that I will mess up again and again.  However, it is very comforting to know that no matter how I mess up God will always forgive me and take me back.

 

Your fellow traveler,

 

Rhonda