Solving the Wrong Problem

Scripture: But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and were very corrupt in the administration of justice. Finally the leaders of Israel met in Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. They told him that since his retirement things hadn’t been the same, for his sons were not good men. "Give us a king like all the other nations have," they pleaded. 1 Samuel 8:3-5

Observation: The people of Israel have problems. The most glaring issue is that they have turned away from God, resulting in their current issue of having their nation occupied by the Philistines. The current issue is that Samuel has retired and placed his sons in charge, and they are corrupt judges. It is this second issue the people seek to address by asking to end their government structure - God as their 'king' and some judge who is filled with God's spirit raised up from time to time to lead and resolve matters - and establish an earthly monarch.

In other words, Israel is full of evil and corruption, the people have turned away from God and no longer obey his laws and precepts, and that has now infected the behavior of their leader judges themselves. However, instead of addressing that issue, they choose to ... depose the judges for a king. Clearly Israel is solving the wrong problem ... seeking a leader to organize them against Philistine - embracing an earthly concept to solve an earthly problem - instead of returning to the Lord.

Application: What earthly problem am I wishing to address through some earthly method, instead of just surrendering it to the Lord, seeking his guidance and even his action?

Daily, I try to think through issues and solve them. It is quite literally my job that someone pays me to do. That isn't so bad within the context of work. However, most matters in my life should be solved through prayer and surrender to the Lord. I may even discover that the issues are caused when I have failed to follow his instructions in the first place. And I am confident I would find that, when issues arise that are actually caused by the world reacting to my faith, the Lord will always protect me.

I need to stop solving the wrong problems, which are earthly issues where I seek earthly methods to find earthly solutions. The Lord is with me to assist with anything, if I will turn to him and honor him and trust in him.

Prayer: Lord, we have so many issues on earth right now. Those that are huge, I know I have no way forward but to pray to you for your worldwide support. However, the smaller issues that apply to my own life, I ask that you help me with. I surrender my depression, my thought life, and even my work to you. May I seek you to not just assist, but lead me in all matters. May I turn all aspects of my life over to you, thus addressing the issue of faith and trust, knowing that this will then solve all earthly matters. Amen.