Give me a King, Like other Nations

This is a reflection from 1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a, which is the first reading on Friday, 15 january.

This is a story when Samuel was the judge of Israel who was preceded by Eli. Prior to Samuel time as a judge, Israel were defeated twice by Philistine and the Ark of the Covenant was stolen by them. Samuel reconciled the Israel before God and Philistine was defeated.

However when Samuel become old, the elders of Israel asked Samuel to ask God to anoint a king for them. This is what they say:

"Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example, appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us."

This request somehow speaks to me when I read it. I relate this question to my life, many times I ask God to grant me something so that I can be like other people. What other people or the society values it somehow make me want to value it as well. For example, in the academic or research work, PhD degree is valued very high, and when I have the opportunity to do doctorate study, it somehow become my value as well.

Some people may call this a social pressure. So when I read this passage, few things come to my mind. First, I could relate what Israelites request to my life situations. I request another King but God, because I want to be like other nation. How tempting it is to see what other nations have when they are ruled by a king. Remember that at that time God is their King and the Judges are God's representative.

Looking at my life, I feel that I need security which actually God who provides, but I request to God to give me a tangible or physical security, such as a lot of money, cars, house, etc. However, how many rich people who feel insecure?

When I compare to the other nations, I can sense the envy start to grow in me. They have what I dont have. They experience what I dont experience. They seems to be happier than me, which leads me to ask God, please make me to be like them. I want to be like them, I want to have a king like them. It blinds me to know that I have a King, the Almighty God.

Through Samuel, God has warned the Israelites what will happen if they are ruled by a king. God also warned me, what will happen if I make other thing become a king in my life. The Israelites did not want to listen to this warning, and thought that they can pay the price so that they can satisfy their envy to be like the other seemingly more powerful and prosperous nation.

This story helps me to reflect in my life, how many kings that I have enthroned. It is a reminder to me that there is a King which is the true King of my heart, of my body and of my soul. It helps to assure me, to belief that I have to enthrone only one King, the King who loves me unconditionally, who has made flesh his love and who died for me. This King rules uniquely and I sometimes become confused of His unusual way.

This is my homage to the King, Jesus the Christ.

"Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum"

Also posted in :andyprima.wordpress.com