​So, you want a ruler, huh?

Scriptural Reference:
“But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.  And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.  Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” 1 Samuel 8:6-9 (NIV)

“Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the Lord has set a king over you. If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.” 1 Samuel 12:13-15 (NIV)

Application:
You can’t blame people for wanting to be like other nations and have a ruler. After all, if you give them a chance, people will abuse, plunder, steal, and commit all types of crimes against each other. But be careful what kind of ruler you ask for. 
Rulers, after all, are people, too. 
No matter who’s in power, Christians must submit to the One Ruler over everyone and everything: God, Who came to earth in the form of Jesus Christ. With Jesus as our Ruler, we needn’t be fearful, even in this mixed-up world of mixed-up rulers.

Prayer:
Dear God, just as You warned Israel of the problems with earthly kings, You warn us every day of putting too much faith in other humans empowered to rule over us. Thank You for being our One True Ruler. You rule with love. Please, protect us from abusers of the power You have given them. We pray all rulers will do Your will, not their own. Amen.