1 Samuel 8:19
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
There are two ways to go in life: your way or God’s way, but only God’s way will make life meaningful and fulfilling. The children of Israel found out the hard way that they got what they wanted, but they did not like what they got.
Israel saw all the nations around them with a king, and they wanted to be like all the other nations. They came to Samuel to demand a king, and when Samuel went to God to find out what to do, God told him to hearken to their voice. It was not that this was God’s will, but God knew they would do what they wanted even if God did not give them permission. God was telling Samuel that He would not stop them from what they wanted, but that they would not like what they got.
Throughout the Scriptures, there have been many people who forced their way with God, but they did not like what they got. I think of Balaam who wanted to go with Balak because he wanted the reward of money, but he did not like the ultimate consequence of death that came with it. I think of Israel who got the meat they wanted, but they did not like that meat after eating it for thirty straight days. I think of Ahab who got the vineyard he wanted, but he did not like the consequence of God’s judgment against his family. Many people in the Scriptures have forced their own way, but they found out that God’s way was better in the end.
There is nothing wrong with having your own way as long as your way is God’s way. Sadly, many have made up their own mind, and it does not matter what God does to stop them; they will pursue their desires despite God’s opposition. Samson did this, and despite the opposition of God’s warning with the lion, Samson got what he wanted, but he did not like what he got when his eyes were plucked out. The prodigal son forced what he wanted, but he did not like what he got when he was hungry and desired to eat from the hog slop.
My friend, God’s way is always the best way even if you disagree with His way. God’s way is the best way because His way has your whole life in view. God intricately plans your life, and some of the things you face today are for the betterment and use for your whole life. Some things that come into life today God will use tomorrow, but if you force your way and leave God’s way, you will miss out on what God is trying to do through your life.
We then ask, how do we get ourselves to want God’s way? First, delight yourself in the LORD. Psalm 37:4 says, Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. When you live your life to please God is when God changes your desires to become His desires. God gives His desires to those who delight themselves in Him; therefore, you can get what you want and what you get will result in good because it is God’s desire.
Second, you must surrender your will to God’s will. If you defer to God’s way every time, you will always be pleased that God gets His way. You can always get what you want when you defer to God’s way, because what you want is God’s way; therefore, to defer or surrender to God’s way is you getting what you want. The greatest life to live is to let God have His way in your life. So, don't force your way and surrender to God’s way and you will find that His way is the best way for your whole life.
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