WEDNESDAY March 6, 2019
A Great Rebuke
“Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes: Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the Lord, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking a king for yourselves.”
1 Samuel 12:16-17
Notice, Samuel was not pleased with Israel’s choice for a king. Neither was God. Samuel rebuked Israel, but they were happy to have a king, and they did not receive the rebuke he gave to them. It was not the season for thunder and rain, and yet Samuel prayed to the Lord to send thunder and rain. His answered prayer would further show to Israel the great sin of asking for a king and refusing the Lord to reign over them.
As a Christian, it is good to listen and receive a rebuke from a godly leader. Too often, Christians can take a rebuke the wrong way. They might take it personally, thinking, They do not like me, when God was really trying to speak to your heart. God was trying to rebuke you for something you had done. The Bible teaches us that when a rebuke is given, it is actually for our benefit:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
A rebuke from someone has to bring about a change of heart. Then what happens? God can use your life. There is no rebellion; instead there is peace, love, unity and harmony.
Let us humbly sit at our Lord’s feet to receive rebuke or instruction as He sees fit.
~C. H Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!