“They Have Rejected Me”

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In the book of 1 Samuel, the prophet Samuel was distraught that the Israelites wanted a king to rule over them. As he expressed this concern to God in prayer, God replied: “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Sam. 8:7). Although God was their King and would reign over them, they wanted someone else to take His place. God, seeing their desire to be under another king, said that the people had rejected Him. People today can, and oftentimes do reject the Lord as ruler in their life to serve another. Consider how many reject God for…

Sinful Pleasure: How many people will reject the God of Heaven, not allowing Him to reign in their life, to be ruled by the sinful pleasures of this world? Many are ruled by their sinful desires and the pleasure that sin brings. Sin is no doubt pleasurable, but its pleasure is only for a season (Heb. 11:25). Why for only a season? It is due to the fact that the path strewn with sinful pleasure leads to great displeasure as it will cause one to be eternally separated from God in Hell (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:15). “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (Rom 6:12). Instead, find pleasure in God, His things, and walking in His ways by a renewed mind (Rom. 12:2). Do not reject God to be ruled by sinful pleasures.

Material Possessions: We live in a society where many are ruled by the love of money. Truly, may are serving the “almighty dollar,” instead of the “Almighty God.” Paul said, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10). Money and material possessions are not evil in and of themselves, but to desire such above God is evil. Temptations and inevitable destruction await those who desire to be rich above all else. You could have a lot of money or very little, but as long as it’s considered “king,” you will be destroyed by it. Jesus taught that “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24 ESV). How many have rejected God as their King and crowned money in His place by seeking to obtain more while neglecting responsibilities concerning God and family? Do not reject God to be ruled by greed. Remember, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). Be rich towards God, and everything else will fall into place (Matt. 6:19-21).

Family Relationships: There are those who will reject God, allowing family to rule in His stead. Some do this by following after the religious mindset of their parents or grandparents that are not in line with the will of God. The apostle Paul found himself in this situation when he “Persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it…being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Gal. 1:13-14). Many allow the beliefs of family members to dictate what they do without having any true regard for God’s will. Yet others will reject God for their familial relationships. Too many allow their family relationships to determine their faithfulness unto the Lord. God will not take second place to your family – not to your husband or wife, mother or father, brother or sister. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Lk. 14:26). We may have to sacrifice some of our earthly relationships, or their closeness, to serve God. However, if this is necessary, great reward will be found. Jesus promised that “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (Matt.19:29). Don’t reject God as your King for family ties.

Worldly Entertainment: There are those who, in essence, have enthroned entertainment as their king. They place fun, games, sports (whether viewing or participating), concerts, and the like before their service to God. This can be evidenced in either not faithfully attending services, or in letting entertainment crowd too much of their time leaving little for the things of God. Surely, there is nothing wrong with Christians being entertained by wholesome things of this life. But we must be careful that such entertainment does not dominate our time while we allow God to go neglected. As Christians, we must heed the command to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

Our hearts should be distressed, even as Samuel’s was, at the scene of so many rejecting God as their King to be ruled by other things. The list of things for which one would reject God could go on ad infinitum. Let us resolve to allow God to reign in our lives, not rejecting Him for anything or anyone else. As Jude penned, “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 25). Who do you serve? Hopefully, like Joshua, you can say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

David Eldridge