Text: 1 Samuel 8:6-22
Memory verse:
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

One of the reasons why God requires that we seek His will in our daily decision making is that we don’t always know what we actually need in life. Most often, we choose based on what we think we want and not what we need. This is because our choices are simply based on our limited knowledge and understanding. We simply don’t have all the information to be able to see that there is a much bigger and better option for us. “O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].” (Jer 10:23 AMP).
This is also one of the reasons for many unanswered prayers. God withholds giving us what we asked for in order that He will be able to give us the bigger and better options He wants for us. I believe that some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. As an adult today, looking back to the past, I am super grateful that God didn’t answer all my prayers as a youth. The truth is that, God is not really committed to meeting our wants but our needs (Phil 4:19)
Now, let’s consider an example. God had a great plan for the people of Israel and willed that He remained their King. So, Israel had no human king over them. However, the people became unsatisfied and wanted a king. Having had a long row of slavery and hardship, and now in the land that God had given them, they thought it was time to have a king like their surrounding nations. Even after Samuel warned them that the king will not meet their needs, they still refused and insisted on having what they wanted. “Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”‭‭(I Sam‬ ‭8‬:‭19‬-‭20‬)‬‬.
Did you notice their motivation for demanding for a king? “…that we also may be like all the nations”. They wanted a king, which was the first error. Secondly, they wanted him to really look like a king, based on their standards, such as being handsome enough to be desired and strong enough to lead them into battle. How they goofed! For that was not what they actually needed.
God eventually gave them a king through Saul, which was not His perfect will for them and which didn’t end well!
Contrarily, Isaiah tells us that God’s promise for them was a king born like a child; someone with humble beginnings, not one with an impressive resume, like they wanted (Isa 9:6-7).
Friends, most times, when God doesn’t give you what you think you want, it is not because you don’t deserve them but because you deserve more and better. Hallelujah!

Prayer points

1. Father, thank you for not answering all items of my prayers in the past and for not giving me what I wanted all the time, in Jesus name.

2. Father, please always give me what I need in accordance with Your perfect will for my life in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. I know that I don’t always know what I need but as I delight in God, He gives me what I need and not what I want.
2. God knows what I need and He is committed to meeting those needs and not my wants.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng