Our identity as children of God is a gift from God.
When we align our identity with the world, we dilute our identity in Christ. The more we align, the more diluted our identity. Continual alignment with the world results in a convoluted Christian identity. A discarding of a gift from God that results in tragic consequences.
In 1 Samuel 8, faithful Samuel is retiring and the Israelites want to replace him with a king. Disturbed by their request, Samuel prays to God for guidance.
God sees the big picture and He advises Samuel:
”They are rejecting Me, not you. They don’t want Me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them out of Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods.”—1 Samuel 8:7-8
The Israelites have been aligning themselves away from God since they left Egypt.
Recall their complaining of Moses leadership in the desert. Recall how the Israelites had wished they were still back in Egypt as SLAVES eating delicacies, meats, and cucumbers. Recall their creation of the golden calves when Moses left to go up to Mt Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
Samuel warns the Israelites of the dire results of having a king over them. But still they persist in their quest for one. Their answer to Samuel reveals how far their hearts were aligned from God.
”But the people refused to listen Samuel. ‘We still want a king. We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.’ ” —1 Samuel 8:19
The Israelites strike down Samuel’s advisements, just as they had done with Moses.
- They reject God as king to rule over.
- They reject God as judge to give counsel.
- They reject God as commander to lead their armies.
They wanted a new identity. One like the idol worshipping countries around them.
They wanted a worldly identity apart from God. They were rejecting their gift of being a nation led by God.
What good gifts has God given you? This holiday season, let’s celebrate our gift of our identity as children of God.
Thank you, Father, that you call me your own. That I am yours. That I belong to a family of believers whose identity is found in You.
Let me celebrate this Real Truth.