September 6th 2020 Communion Meditation for Shick Shack ~ I Samuel 8.1-9 “God’s Presidential Candidate”

 

Communion Meditation for Shick Shack

September 6^th 2020

I Samuel 8.1-9  “God’s Presidential Candidate”

Once upon a time there was a country that had no king, no governor, and no president. Everyone got along so well and loved each other so deeply that they could resolve any conflict they had. It reminds me of one of my counseling professors who said to the class: the sign of a healthy society and culture is the ability to solve their problems.

Have you had the blessing of seeing some of your problems solved? You probably did it with the help of family, friends, a community, or maybe strangers. Some of your help may have come from wisdom you have gained over the years. Solutions may come to the surface of your mind in the nick of time.

Do you have any problems that have not been resolved yet? Are they nagging at you day and night or on certain holidays? Are they relationship problems, money problems, health problems, stinking thinking problems, anxiety, depression, obsession, compulsion problems? Whatever they are, give them to God in prayer today.

Israel had their share of problems, and like us, naturally, they paid more attention to the problems than they did to the Problem Solver. It is supernatural to put God first. It is a nature we find in prayer and studying God’s word.

We have seen God bless us over and over again. God has healed us, delivered us, and saved us in the nick of time. But, when a problem comes, it is not so easy to look to the One who never leaves us, who is ALWAYS there for us.

So, right now, take the time to think about those big, in-your-face problems – in this very moment! Name them quietly in your heart, write them out in your mind’s eye on an invisible piece of paper. Now fold it neatly. Put it in an envelope. Write on that envelope “God” and hand it over to the angel that is waiting by your side and watch that angel walk to the altar and deliver all your problems to God. Thank God quietly that the love and power of God can manage whatever you have on the altar!

The Israelites had blessings and they had problems. They looked at how the rest of the world was dealing and they wanted to be like all the other nations. The others had a king, so they wanted a king. Having a king is a good thing. Like having a president is a good thing.

It stops being good when we decide to hold any leader – whether pastor, president or pope - as more honorable than God.

Christians around the world are led by all kinds of leaders. They speak all kinds of languages. They are Muslims, Jewish, atheists, gay, lesbian, male, female and a whole lot more. We are called to hold all leaders in the highest esteem, to pray for them, to honor and respect them.

We may be called like Billy Graham, to have lunch with them and tell them whatever God gives us to say in agreement or disagreement and always speak the truth in love. We are to prayerfully cast our vote, which is not always easy since there are so many issues at stake. There is never one candidate who aligns 100% with what we think or what God says. It is always a mixed bag. But we are called to get along with one another. To agree to disagree, to be at peace whenever possible. God gives us the power, as we pray, to help us be all we can be.

Samuel was disappointed that God’s people wanted a king like the rest of the world. But God said give them what they want and warn them that if you do not choose to follow me above all else, you will be left with only what a limited human can provide for you.

When we cast our ballots as good citizens and good Christians, let us remember that God is our leader first and foremost. It does not matter who the human leader is. It does not matter what language they speak, what religion they practice or what their politics are.

If every Christian were to respect leaders while at the same time honoring and obeying God above all else, there would be fewer hungry children in the streets, fewer homeless sleeping on park benches, and fewer youth running away in order to escape an abusive home. If every Christian were to respect leaders while at the same time honoring God above all else, there would be more justice and more mercy. Cast your vote and remember, no matter who you vote for, always put God first.  Amen.