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All this is very relevant - people wanted devolution or independence – in Isarel’s case, they wanted their own king – although they already had one. Let them have it, if that is what they want. Let them vote - and they vote for more government – then they can have it - but it will be costly.

We are reading in I Samuel Chapter 8 where Samuel explains what will happen and warns the people. He will take your sons for his army - and his fields - and his armament factories. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. A king will take your finest fields. And then he will levy taxes. You will have to pay to the king your best grain and finest wine. He will want your best servants and cattle and donkeys.

You will cry out in that day - these taxes will be high - and the Lord will not answer you - because that is the way you chose to go.

Kings come with a very high price. Government, and especially various layers of government, comes at a very very high price.

Samuel spelled it all out in some detail - but the people would not listen. "We want a king. We want a king. We want to be just like everyone else. We want to be like all the other nations."

Verse 21 - Samuel went back to the Lord God - and God replied - "Listen to them and give them a king."

“Listen to them and give them a king.” 1Samuel 8 verse 21 . What a relevant word to Scotland in these days and perhaps also relevant to other parts of the United Kingdom.

The people went for a tall handsome man - head and shoulders taller than anyone else and impressive and young - now he would be a leader! Saul was man's choice.

Saul was sent out by his father to look for lost donkeys. They were getting nowhere.

Chapter 9 verses 5 to 10 tells us what happened as they were looking for the lost donkeys. They asked some girls if the seer - the prophet - was in town.

In verse 14 , Saul meets Samuel - and we read that God had revealed to Samuel that something was going to happen - and in verse 17 God makes it very clear. Saul came from the most insignificant tribe of Benjamin.

Samuel and Saul have this meal which had already been prepared. The next morning - Samuel explains to Saul that he had a message from God for him.

In Chapter 10 - Samuel anoints Saul - and continues to give him revelation from the Lord.

Verse 6 - the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power.

Verse 9 - God ministers to Saul – giving him every opportunity for success.

Verse 14 - when he arrived back home his uncle asks - Where have you been - looking for the donkeys? Well yes - but that was only part of the story.

Verse 17 - Samuel addresses the people - and selects the tribes and clans - and looks for Saul, who cannot be found. When he appears, he is appointed king and the people appear to have no problem with this.

Verse 25 - but a king would be a king, and it would all be written down and presented before the Lord God.

Saul went to his home - but surrounded by a band of men whose hearts God had touched.

And yes, there appeared troublemakers from the very beginning. Troublemakers are always around. We want a king - but we don't like who has been chosen king. This fellow won't help us at all.

“I didn’t like the last government – I certainly do not like the present government – but I will like the next one.”

It is all there in the Bible – in God’s Word – and when we reject it, the price is high – personally – corporately – nationally – globally.

“Lord God – our heavenly Father, full of mercy and compassion – hear our prayers. We pray for families and nations – we pray for individuals and leaders – especially those who have no one to pray for them. We remember those areas where there is warfare and bloodshed and trouble and trauma – and where persecution is painful. Hear us, as we pray in Jesus Name. Amen”

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Favorite Verse "A Good Measure"