Begged for a King

“Then the people begged for a king...” Acts 13:21

In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas were asked by the leaders of the Temple service to give the congregation a word of encouragement. Paul stood up and told them about Jesus, starting from how God led the Jews out of slavery with signs and wonders.

Usually, when we want to get to know a person, we ask a lot of questions and listen to the answers. The more we know, the deeper a relationship is formed. But sometimes we encounter a person who is very secretive, who does not like to expose himself, who evades all our questions with a one word answer or a shrug. 

Here in the Bible, we have the God of the Universe, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, humbly presenting Himself to us so that we can get to know Him if we want to. We do not have to ask. He already provides a means for us to have knowledge of His character, His ways, even how He thinks. He even allows us to reject Him just as the Jews rejected Him when they preferred a human king instead of God! “The people begged for a king!” it reads in Acts 13:21. Instead of appreciating the way God took care of them, delivering them from bondage and guiding them through the prophets, the Jews insisted on their way. They wanted a king even if he would oppress them, draft their sons into his army, force them to plow his fields and take away the best of their fields and vineyards. The Lord warned them how a king would demand a tenth of their harvest and flocks, but the people insisted they wanted a king to govern them and lead them in battle. (1 Samuel 8:10-18)

Is it any wonder today that we are in a mess? We continue to reject God as our King, and choose to follow man’s ways. Father, have mercy on us. May we put You on the throne again in our lives, in our country, in the whole world.