Way too often we take the weight of the world on our shoulders and assume that everyone is out to get us. For they are rejecting our message and our lifestyle. In fact, they just don’t like us, and won’t listen to us! Be encouraged today, for our Scripture gives an example of where God helped His servant realize that it was really Him they were rejecting. As we become more like Christ, this will happen to us also. Here’s how we should handle that…

DATE WRITTEN: Monday, 2021-06-14
WRITTEN AT: Shaker Heights, OH

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Samuel 8:6-8 
TRANSLATION:New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the LORD for guidance.  7 “Do everything they say to you,” the LORD replied, “for it is me (God) they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. 8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment.

APPLICATION: Times have not changed very much, for still today pastors are trapped by angry members when he preaches the Word, without regards to who, how church attendees might be impacted. Friends, it is so unfortunate that we tend to blame someone else for issues that we have caused. It is likewise unfortunate when we look beyond the issues in our own lives, or the condition of our family, or our church or our group, and see so much wrong with others, while all the while blinded to our own problems. Let’s think for a moment about issues with a church. Of course, we all know that it’s not the building where the church meets that is the problem, it’s folk like you and I that attend the church that causes the challenges. So look no further than inside yourself when issues arise. Changing pastors will have a similar effect as it was when God told Samuel to go ahead and give them what they want. In most cases things will only get worse. Friends, unless we commit and dedicate ourselves to becoming more like Jesus in every aspect of our lives, then anything we become a part of will suffer from the sin brought into our lives by the world. Becoming one with Jesus, means a perfect life, a life without sin – and that should be our aim everyday friends. Only then will we contribute positively to our churches and the groups that we become involved in. Remember, the world hates Jesus. Always have, and always will. So if we look enough like Jesus, they will hate us also, just like God told Samuel. So what shall we do? Determine this day who you will serve, and give it all you have. Be determined to serve only God and His righteousness, so that He might be glorified in everything we do and say! Pray for those you minister to, and that you come into contact with. Pray that they will lift up their eyes to the Lord, from whom our salvation, and all blessings flow.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God wants us to represent Him so well that others will see Jesus. If, in living out our faith, others become upset, we must remember that it’s really God that completes His work through us!

PRAYER: Lord we so desperately need You in our lives. We want to add positively to groups that we become involved in, through sharing Your love and Your mercy that You showered on us. Anything else would only add to the confusion and hatred that normally develops. Unfortunately, our church group members are also challenged with worldly influences as well, so we see churches that are less than perfect. Oh that we may see churches that are always ready to forgive, always looking out for the best in the other person, always contributing to the best in others, always praying for and supporting their pastor/shepherd/leader. Lord, it is very obvious that we need more of You in our lives individually so that we can see more of You in our churches, so that we can see Your church effectively reaching out to the lost community that we serve. We need You in our lives personally Lord, please humble us to earnestly seek Your face and allow You to rule in our lives.