Here Is the King You Have Chosen – EGP Blog post from October 4, 2012

Many people don’t like their current ruler, and those who are fortunate enough to have the ability to vote often feel like they are “picking the lesser of two evils”.

Romans 13:1 ()

[1] Every person§ is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from§ God, and those which exist are established by God.

Romans 13:1a Or soul
Romans 13:1b Lit by

In , we read that the elders of Israel said to Samuel (the judge God appointed over them), “appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.” In the proceeding verses we read that God heard their request, but had Samuel warn them of the problems that would incur, ending with a very somber warning.

1 Samuel 8:18–20 ()

[18] “Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” [19] Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, [20] that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

How often do we try to place our responsibilities on the government’s shoulders? Ironically, we freak out whenever they get used to “taking care of things for us”. While those who have the ability to vote may not like the options, they are the ones we have chosen by our actions.

1 Samuel 12:13–14, 25 ()

[13] “Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the Lord has set a king over you. [14] “If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command§ of the Lord, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. … [25] “But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.”

1 Samuel 12:14 Lit mouth

Key verses

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