We have learned so much about the Israelites in the past month or so. There are times we are astonished at the things they go through. Then we are in awe of the things they witnessed. Things such as the parting of the Red Sea, the victorious battles, the cloud and fire directional system for the tabernacle, and then we also see a bit of us in them. Time after time, they forget the blessings and get selfish.

Have you ever caught yourself admiring something of someone else’s? Even from people that don’t have it as good as you do.  Things such as I wish I had his car. I wished we lived in their house. I wish we could trade our children for theirs. Crazy thoughts that are so irrational.  Even when we know that we have been blessed and given all we need, our inner self wants more. We feel the pull towards rewards. The “I have worked hard and deserve it” syndrome really kicks in.

The Israelites were the same way and we say we don’t understand. They get the blessing of being known as the nation that has God among them. He travels around with them, he then delivers them to the promised land, and establishes a permanent tabernacle there for Him to reign and be with them forever.

But what happens next? They look around and notice that everyone else has a king that rules over their kingdoms, but they don’t know how to compare. So they plead to God to give them a king, and so He does. King David becomes the first king of Israel. Did you notice why they wanted a king? Check out this scene from chapter 8 of 1 Samuel.

Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” – 1 Samuel 8:4-5

Now we can really relate to the blessed ones. I don’t think there is one of us that is honest and says they have not admired, desired, or what they bible labels as coveted something someone else has.  Let us use discernment and realize the full picture. You may have so much more than you desire. We just need to pay closer attention to what we do have and what our intentions and motivations are when we cave-in and covet someone’s property.

Come this Saturday and share your thoughts, ideas and life with us!

We meet at Panera Bread in Columbus, GA at 8am. We hope to see you there!

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Vimeo video link

If you want to listen to the chapter in MP3 format, grab that here:
MP3 for Part IV, Session 8 “The Kingdom of God”

If you want to read the section in PDF format, grab that here:
PDF for Part IV: Session 8 “The Kingdom of God”

Part IV: Session 8 Reading Plan

Sunday:
2 Samuel 7
Monday:
1 Kings 1
Tuesday:
1 Kings 2
Wednesday:
1 Kings 3
Thursday:
1 Kings 4
Friday:
Psalms 2
Psalms 24

This reading plan is outlined on Youversion.com reading plan “Multiply Reading Plan: Francis Chan” This week is Sunday, day 113 – Friday, day 118.

We are continuing our journey through the book Multiply. If you don’t have a copy use, don’t fret, we provide a PDF link each week for you to read, listen and journey with us. For more information about the Multiply Movement, check out their website: http://multiplymovement.com