TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us…”
Read the entire passage: Deuteronomy 17.14-20
TODAY’S MESSAGE
This past weekend, Pastor Bob King explained God’s instruction for Israel’s future kings. While God wanted to be their king, he knew 400 years down the road they’d want to be like the countries surrounding them. They’d want a king to lead them. God knows he will accommodate their request so he gives the future kings instructions on how to keep Israel distinct from the countries around them.
God didn’t want Israel to conform to the pagan countries around them and he doesn’t want us to conform to the worldly influences around us. Just like the kings experienced a magnetic pull toward conformity, there’s a magnetic pull toward conformity for us. Israel was supposed to be different to show the goodness and greatness of God. So should we live in a way that does the same. When we’re able to love, be joyful, have peace, be patient, be faithful, be gentle and practice self-control—there’s a greater chance people will notice (Galatians 5.22-23).
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
This week, we’ll explore three areas of conformity the kings were supposed to resist—the pull of power, compromise and to accumulate wealth. As we start the week, consider the people around you with the greatest pull. Maybe it’s a best friend or group of classmates you really want approval from or a co-worker, book club friend or golfing partner you respect. Who are the people you allow to influence you? Are they pulling you in the right direction or the wrong direction? What can you do to make sure those relationships don’t pull you in the wrong direction?
