We have a history of looking to kings. We revere them, are fascinated by them, watch movies about royal romances. Even in countries like the U.S. that broke away from “kings” we still put individuals on pedestals, give them power, look for them to lead and defend us. Some may be politicians, some may be sports heroes, some may be movie stars. We revere them, are fascinated (if not sometimes obsessed with them) and watch movies, reality shows or 24-hour news about them. We look to them to lead us and influence our lives. We have a whole generation of individuals looking to be kings or “influencers.”

I started reading the first book of Samuel this morning. As Samuel was getting older, the people begged him to “Give us a king to rule us.” Samuel prayed and the Lord told him “You are not the one they are rejecting. They are rejecting me as their king.” The Lord told Samuel to go ahead and give the people what they wanted but told him to warn them:

“The governance of the king who will rule you will be as follows: He will take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses, and they will run before his chariot. He will appoint from among them his commanders of thousands and of hundreds. He will make them do his plowing and harvesting and produce his weapons of war and chariotry. He will use your daughters as perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will tithe your crops and grape harvests to give to his officials^* and his servants. He will take your male and female slaves, as well as your best oxen and donkeys, and use them to do his work. He will also tithe your flocks. As for you, you will become his slaves. On that day you will cry out because of the king whom you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”

1 Samuel 8:11-18

Despite the warning the people insisted they wanted a king to rule them, to lead them into warfare and to fight their battles. Not surprisingly, it didn’t work out as they had hoped.

I am not aware of any “king” whether royal or elected that has worked out how we might hope (regardless of political party or country). They fail, like we fail, when we fail to fear and serve the Lord, when we turn from Him, when we think that our power is greater than Him. We are reminded throughout the Bible:

If you fear and serve the LORD, if you listen to the voice of the LORD and do not rebel against the LORD’s command, if both you and the king, who rules over you, follow the LORD your God—well and good.

But if you do not listen to the voice of the LORD and if you rebel against the LORD’s command, the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king.

Samuel 12:14-15

I do not subscribe to any king or any party. I know that I cannot control anyone else. I know that only God can truly lead me and that God should be my only influencer. I am in control of me. The Bible’s message is focused on me. If I fear and serve the Lord, if I listen to the voice of the Lord, if I don’t rebel against the Lord… I can choose what king I allow to rule over me or influence my heart. I choose who to revere, who to follow with my words, my deeds and my heart. I choose the only king who will not disappoint. I choose Jesus.

There are so many fake kings, fake idols, fake influencers and a constant battle in the media to crown more. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we spent as much time revering, following, talking about our true king?

Lord,

You are my King! You are the only leader of my heart. Help me reject the fake kings, fake idols and fake influencers of this world vying for my attention. Help me to keep my eyes, my ears and my focus on you!