judge Archives - Dennis Conrad Author

Be Careful What You Ask For!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for all those who seek your face about what to ask for their future. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Samuel’s sons were not following God. Scriptures tells us in 1 Samuel 8:3 that they were taking bribes. In 1 Samuel 8:4-5 (ESV), we learn what the elders, the representatives of the people, want.

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, ‘Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.’”

Learn how Samuel felt in 1 Samuel 8:6-9 (ESV).

“But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.’”

The people of Israel were about to be warned.

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Ascribe to the Lord?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ascribe to you glory and strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Want to stand in awe before the Lord? Consider all that can be ascribed to him including creation, his mighty deeds, and the gift of his son, Jesus.

Psalm 96:6-10 (ESV) starts with the word “splendor,” Synonyms for the word range from magnificence, to grandeur, and to glory.

“Splendor and majesty are before him [the Lord];
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!

Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.’”

In light of this section of Scripture, it is right to be humble before God. Yet, it is also important to acknowledge God’s sovereignty. It says, “’The Lord reigns.’”

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