Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.  Isaiah 55:2

Why do we reach for worthless things?
Why are we passionate about things that do not satisfy?
Why do we choose bondage over freedom?

I Samuel 8 marks a departure in Israel’s history.
For the first time ever — God’s people decide they want a king.
Samuel the prophet warns the people, but they don’t listen.

People: Give us a king!

Samuel: He will take your sons and daughters as his servants.
He will take a tenth of all that you own.
You will be his servants.
One day you will cry out because of the king you have chosen.
 
People: We don’t care! Give us a king!

 We have a choice in life.
To be healed. To be restored. To have abundant life.

But we choose bondage.
We choose sin over substance.
We choose to let things and relationships and stuff rule over us.

As a pastor, I think that is one of the most frustrating things.
When people reject truth, reject life — and choose death, or bondage instead.

What are you reaching for?
What is it that you are pursuing?

Choose life.
Let Jesus rule over you.
It’s infinitely worth it.