Saturday, January 14, 2012

Stay True to Your Faith in God

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 12


From Samuel's Journal


I was disappointed in the people of Israel for choosing to have a human king instead of God. But, the Lord told me to go ahead and anoint Saul as their king.


It seemed to me the Israelites have forgotten who God is, how powerful He is, and what He has done for them.


The season for harvest had come. Wheat kernels were ripe. I asked the Lord to send thunder and rain on the wheat fields.  


Did they really know God's power? Did they think He didn't see their sins? Perhaps the people of Israel needed to be reminded of their selfishness in wanting a human king instead of the Lord.


The Lord honored my request. He sent thunder and rain that day. It was a powerful storm packed with booming thunder and pelting rain. 


The Israelites cried and became afraid. "Please Samuel," they cried, "Pray for us to the Lord your God  that we won't die. We have added to all our sins. We confess our evil sin of asking for a king for ourselves."


"Peace." I said to them. "Yes you have done all this wickedness, but now you need to not turn away from following the Lord.  You must serve Him with all your heart. Don't give you attentions to other things for you will go after empty things.


God loves you. He will not forsake you.


And I will not cease to pray for you. However, I will teach you the good and the right way that God commands.


This is what God wants: fear Him and serve Him in truth, with all your heart, and remember the great things He has done for you.


I must also tell you this. If you turn away from God and go back to doing wicked things, you will be swept away, both you and your king.


And so the days of Saul's reign began...I think there will be sad days in our future.


************************
1. Why was Samuel disappointed in the Israelites?
2. What did Samuel ask God to do?  Why?
3. Did God answer Samuel's prayer?
4. What did the people do?
5. Who was to be the king of Israel?
6. Who became the king of Israel?
7. What is the difference between the answer for five and the answer for six?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

They picked a king over the Lord.
Send lightening and rain.
Yes
They were sorry and believed in God.
God should have been their King.
Saul is to become the king.
God should have been King, but the people picked Saul instead.

Anonymous said...

These answers were given by the fourth and fifth grade robots of Mrs. McConnell who are now 100 years old on our 100 days of school. Here comes our picture.

Mary Vee Storyteller said...

I can't wait to see your picture. I'm soooo excited.

Mary Vee Storyteller said...

Excellent answers. Well done.