FRIDAY, JULY 6
Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:10-18

Samuel told the Israelites the six things that the king would do and all of them involved confiscation and loss: “He will take…” But when they asked for a king, the Lord said there were six things that the king would take. The first thing he would take was their sons. He would put them as drivers of his own chariots and to be his horsemen. Second, he would take their daughters to be perfumers, cooks and bakers. Third, he would take the best of their fields, their vineyards and their olive groves. He would take their servants. He would transfer wealth. He would take from them and give it to others. Fourth, he would take a tenth of their grain and their vintage and would give it to people that he liked. Fifth, he would take their menservants, maidservants, their finest young men and their donkeys and would put them to use for his purpose. Sixth, he would take a tenth of their sheep and he would make use of them. Early on, God used to be our ‘king’ in America but now government has become king. Government is taking, taking, taking. How has government grown to replace God? Is it time to reign in the governmental king that does nothing but take, take, take? Prophet Samuel laid it out. When we read it, do we feel like we are living it? Is it happening in our lifetime? The king is undoubtedly our government, who takes and tells us how it will be spent. God’s warning was that the king would enrich himself and impoverish the people. Government has become king and very much like Saul. Does God have a creative sword to cut away government waste? Let us trust He does!