“…they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them…” 1 Samuel 8:7b“For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it…” Luke 9:24a

What an interesting ‘coincidence’ for today’s reading. Different authors, very different circumstances, multiple centuries apart and yet a very consistent message: God is the King of kings and we are not! Ever since the fall of man in the garden we (humanity) have really struggled with a major identity crisis. We think far too much of ourselves and far too little of God. Somebody put it this way, “God made man in His own image and we've been returning the favor ever since.”

Sadly, 1 Samuel records Israel’s desire for a human king just like all the nations around them completely rejecting God’s rule in their lives as the King of kings. He had demonstrated Himself to be the perfect provider and protector as long as they were willing to trust Him, follow Him, and obey Him. Yet they had decided on plan B, an earthly king (flawed, sinful, limited) who would rule over them just like all the nations around them had. What a strange request given the options; and yet, don’t we do the very same thing every time we take life into our own hands instead of running to and trusting God with our lives.

It’s exactly what Jesus was warning the disciples about; you want to figure life out without Me, you have two chances: slim and none…and slim left town. That’s a loose translation but basically describes those who try to do life on their own without God in the mix. Doing life on our own is actually not hard to do. You don’t have to be a serial killer, bank robber, or even a rude nasty person…just leave God out! Leave God out of your decisions, your relationships, your dreams, and your plans. At that point we become our own gods; king of our own lives.

The good news in Luke 9:24b is “…but whoever loses his life for My sake, his is the one who will save it.” As we focus on the one true King and sovereign God we begin to trust Him with our lives. As we experience His peace in the midst of conflict; His joy in the midst of heart ache; His compassion in the midst of failure; His love in the midst of our unfaithfulness, we then desire no other king but Him. We desire no other life but His! Sadly many and maybe even most don’t dare to step out and trust Him when the crisis hits and we miss out on experiencing Him as our one true Provider and Protector!

Father please show me where I’m not trusting you and becoming my own god; trusting myself as if I’m the one true king. O God please show me my sin and the areas I am fighting to maintain control. Move me Father to forsake any areas where I am trusting in myself and cause me to follow you in repentance and faith. Thank You for Your amazing patience and relentless love. Father I want to lose myself in Jesus, please teach me how every day. In His name, in Jesus name, Amen!