Turn Away

I Samuel 12: Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless…But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

The people here asked for a king, although God said to serve him only.  So God gave them a king, but it displeased the Lord.

It seems like sometimes in the Bible, God gave things to people because they asked, but not because it was what he wanted.  And sometime we ask for things we don’t need, either. And they become idols (things we worship other than God.)  But here we are reminded that useless idols do us no good.  Houses, land, cars, and careers cannot rescue us when we need a rope thrown to us, when we find ourselves in a pit.

“But…” we are told to serve God faithfully with all of our hearts and to consider the great stuff he’s doing in our lives.

What has he done for you lately?  Recall it, recite it, and give thanks for it.  And be careful what you ask for…you just might get it.