Scripture Reference: 1 Samuels 8
The will of God for our life is perfect, anything outside of the will of God is an imperfect will. The term permissive will is also sometimes used when God allows something based on our own request. In this blog, we look at a situation of permissive will.
Before Israel had kings, judges were set over them as rulers. In 1st Samuels 8, it tells us about the appointment of Samuel’s sons as judges. Unfortunately, Samuel’s sons were not conducting themselves rightly. Therefore, the elders of Israel came to Saul and demanded a king to rule over them like all the nations.
This request displeased Samuels and so he sought the Lord through prayer. The people asking for a king like other nations was a sign of rebellion against God. The Lord said unto Samuel “Heed the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them…”, vs 7 of Samuels 8.
The Lord then advises Samuel to warn them about the consequences of their request, this is outlined in verses 11-18. Some of the consequences were:
- Sons would be drafted for wars, to be farmers, and to make weapons.
- The daughters would be used as cooks, bakers, and perfumers.
- The king would take the best of the people’s male and female servants.
- The king would also take the best of the farm produce and take the best of the cattle.
- They would be slaves to the king.
- When they wanted relief from the king that they demanded, the Lord would not provide help.
Despite the consequences being outlined, they still insisted on wanting a king like the other nations, they responded “No, but we will have a king over us, that we may also be like the nations, and that our king may judge us and go before us and fight our battles.” (vs 19 and 20). Pursuant to the people’s requests, the Lord responded to Samuel in verse 22, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.”
The elder’s concern about Samuel’s sons not conducting themselves correctly was a legitimate one. Instead of asking God for help in the matter, they decided to come up with their own solution. However, the solution that they came up with was not according to the will of God, they had a desire to be like the nations around them. The Israelites were called to be different but instead, they wanted to fit in. Even after the repercussion of their request was explained to them, they still insisted on wanting a king. God permitted their request, though this was not his perfect will for them.
We all have hopes, dreams, aspirations, and different desires. We ought to ensure that these are lined up with the will of God and that we are also willing to submit to God’s timing.
Romans 12 vs 2 (NLT) reminds us ‘not to copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.’
The Israelites were copying the behaviors and custom of the world by wanting a king, they were not completely changed, they had been forsaking the Lord and serving other gods. We also need transformation, and this is through reading the word of God.
2 Timothy 3 vs 16-17 (NLT) states that ‘all scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.’
When we read and study the word of God, we will be able to discern what is will for our life is. If we do not read his word, we will be like a ship without a rudder- a rudder is used to steer a ship and the Bible is used to guide our lives.
There are things that I have asked God for, and the answers had been delayed and for some things, I am still in the waiting process. Now that I am older and hopefully a little wiser, I can see that God’s timing was and is perfect. I believe that, If I had gotten some things before God’s appointed time, I would have wasted it. I can look back and judge my character back then and know that I was not able to put that thing I wanted to good use. It would have been like throwing pearls to swine- the good thing would have been destroyed. The waiting process is the place where God is building and changing my character to be more conformed to His word.
When we act outside of the will and perfect timing of God, we are telling him that we do not trust him. We can find ourselves in difficult situations when we act outside of the will of God. Sometimes, God may permit some things that are not his perfect will, because we have been asking for it after he has told us no and even highlighted the consequences. Parents may understand the concept of a nagging child-who you have told no multiple times, because you know what the outcome of the action will be, but sometimes due to this nagging a parent may turn them over to their own device for them to face the consequence. Unfortunately, many of us are like that, despite the warnings we want to see for ourselves.
The response that God gives may seem harsh and unfavorable but trust and believe all things are working out for your good. It may turn out, that the thing you wanted so badly, you realize that you do not need, and God may have something infinitely better than what you asked him for.
I encourage all of us to submit to the will of the Lord for our lives and trust His timing.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your words. Your words continue to be light unto our path. I pray that we will submit our desires to You, may we actively seek to find out Your will for us through Your Word, and not seek answers from other entity that is separate or outside of You. Help us to be patient, when you have committed us to a season of waiting, and may we understand that there is much-needed growth and refinement that happens in the place of waiting. Thank you, Lord, for the assurance that You give us that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for us.
AMEN.
Amen and Amen. It’s so funny at times, when we try to fit in like the rest, instead of standing out. And this happens to both believers and unbelievers. They were called to be different, but because of wanting to fit in like other nations, they were willing enough to pay the consequences. And even when they we’re warned about the consequences that they will face, they were still adamant to be like others, when they are called to be different and separated. The permissive will – when you want something, but it is not in God’s will and timing. Surely they wanted a judge that would instruct them and rule over them, but what they failed to understand is that was not the will of God. And indeed God granted their permissive will, knowing that they would would go through trying times.
We can be so stubborn sometimes when God is trying to direct us. But we really need to realize that is plans for us are good and acting against His perfect will or for a lack of a better word ‘forcing his hands’ will only land us in problems that we really never had to face.
Thank you for reading and commenting 😊. To God be the glory.