The People Want a King

Samuel was a faithful judge who walked with God each day.
But sadly his unworthy sons could not receive such praise.
When it came to godliness, they didn’t bring a thing,
So the people said to him, ‘Appoint for us a king.”

Samuel’s heart was broken as he experienced this rejection.
He had been faithful to the task of giving spiritual direction.
But God told Samuel, “Don’t feel bad, it’s Me they’ve cast aside.
They desire to copy the world and let their devotion slide.

Samuel returned to the elders of Israel and this is what he said:
“If you choose to follow this path, there will be changes ahead.
You will lose your sons and daughters, which ought to make you nervous.
He will tell you how he needs them in his government service.

He will take your mules and horses and your finest fields.
You will pay unending taxes on all that your business yields.
With these ever-increasing burdens your conversations will ring
With deep regret and songs of lament having consented to rule by a king.”

Nevertheless the people refused to heed Sam’s proclamation. They said,
“Give us a king so we can be like all of these other nations.”
Samuel told the Lord about it wondering what this would bring.
The Lord replied, “Heed their voice. Go and find them a king.”

We gain wisdom as we read this story over and over again,
For it reveals the trouble that came and how it all came to an end.
So let us take this inside knowledge, apply it to life today.
Let us be careful to heed God’s voice and in His presence stay.

Consider the troubles we now face in the time in which we live.
Consider how the middle class is forced to give and give.
If only we would seek God more and look to government less.
We could avoid the trouble in store and dig our way out of this mess.

Let us learn from Israel’s sin with all their foolish decisions.
Let us consider the Word of God and make some sensible revisions.
Let us help each other more rejecting big government plans.
For it’s not politicians but Jesus alone, who is the Savior of man.

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Samuel Becomes the Judge of Israel

Samuel 4

Israel went out to a Philistine fight, was soundly defeated by them.
When the day was finally over, they lost four thousand men.
That evening in camp the elders said, “We need to bring the ark.
Perhaps it will give the soldiers a lift; bring comfort to their heart.”

When the ark arrived in the camp, it erupted with a great roar.
The Philistines began to wonder if they could win the war.
But the Philistines rallied and fought with great fear Israel to defeat.
Thirty thousand died that day and Israel’s despair was complete.

Among the casualties of the war was the loss of their precious ark.
Hophni and Phineas died that day, their lives having missed the mark.
A messenger brought a report to Eli whose heart was filled with dread.
Poor Eli fell down and broke his neck. He too was pronounced dead.

The ark was taken to Dagan’s temple and placed before his face.
Sometime that night before the morn, Dagan fell down from his place.
There he lay prostrate before the ark appearing as though it was planned.
The second time the idol fell down, it removed his head and his hands.

The hand of the Lord lay heavy on them. Many were struck with disease.
This deadly destruction terrified their hearts, brought them to their knees.
The Philistines placed the ark on a cart pulled by unbroken stock.
Amazingly they pulled the ark home in a mutually cooperative walk.

They finally stopped near Abinadab’s house located high on a hill.
There it stayed for twenty years til Israel would follow God’s will.
Finally the people confessed their sin with fasting and prayer in accord.
When the Philistines rose to afflict, they were routed before the Lord.

From that day on throughout his life, Samuel judged this nation.
They regained their cities and towns with all of their population.
Samuel travelled across the land to serve as Jehovah’s judge.
Israel learned that life is better serving the One above.

We too are like the Israelites with our many conflicting thoughts.
Too often we live for money or pride instead of how we ought.
The Scripture is given for every believer. O how its wisdom we need!
Help us O Lord to apply its direction and treasure its truth to heed.

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Samuel Hears the Voice of God

1 Samuel 3

Samuel served God in the tent of meeting from the time he was just a boy.
Seldom did Israel hear from God; there was no one He could employ.
Eli had failed to be a strong leader, his sons were vile indeed.
Israel had no faithful shepherd. The Lord was exceedingly grieved.

Samuel was resting in the temple as he cared for the burning lamp.
Twas the wee hours of early morn before the light’s dawning advance.
He heard a clear voice call out his name and ran to say “I am here.”
But Eli told the young servant of God, “I didn’t call you near.”

Twice more this happened and twice he responded. Eli perceived the truth:
God had set this young man apart and was calling him as a youth.
Eli told him how to respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
So Samuel resolved to calmly react the next time he was able to hear it.

Sure enough, the Lord called again and Samuel said, “I am here.”
What God revealed about Eli and sons chilled his soul with fear.
When Samuel revealed judgment was coming for both of Eli’s sons,
Eli, not at all surprised, said “May the Lord’s will be done.”

The Lord blessed Samuel as he grew up. All of his words were right.
Soon all of Israel became aware that he was God’s guiding light.
So from a hurting mother’s prayer and a life as a lonely child,
God created a leader of men to save a nation beguiled.

Maybe your childhood was less than stellar, filled with sorrow and pain.
When limited to the wisdom of man, such facts are hard to explain.
But God often heals a wounded heart and sets it free to love
That He might use it to impart grace that comes from heaven above.

So open the wounds of your painful past; reveal the sorrows too.
Give them over to God above; allow Him to heal you.
Then tell the world that God heals hurts; live out His gracious plan.
God will use your transformed life to bring hope to a wounded man.

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

The Birth of Samuel

I Samuel 1-2

Elkanah was a Levite man who lived in the Ephraim hills.
His wife Hannah loved the Lord, but she felt so unfulfilled.
Hannah in her outward way appeared so meek and mild,
But deep within her spirit, she yearned to bear a child.

Elkanah had a second wife whose womb was fruitfully open.
She taunted Hannah with her smirk and cutting words ill-spoken.
Hannah grieved and promised God, as she knelt at the house of the LORD,
To give her son to lifetime service if her prayers were not ignored.

God, of course, heard all of her prayers. The delay was not a rebuke.
He answers prayer exactly on time. Not one of them is a fluke.
Eli the priest observed her prayer; learned of her earnest petition.
He told her spirit to be at rest and prepare for a coming addition.

It wasn’t long before she conceived and gave birth to a special son.
She gave him the name of Samuel,* for by prayer the battle was won.
She treasured each moment with her child preparing to keep her word
Knowing it was because of God’s grace that his birth occurred.

When he was weaned she took little Sam along with a sacrifice.
She taught him how to worship and gave other important advice.
Next she took him to the priest presenting Samuel so fair;
Then she knelt before the Lord and poured out her heart in prayer.

Elkanah and Hannah returned to their home but left little Sam behind.
He learned how to minister to the Lord. He was truly “one of a kind.”
Hannah’s heart ached but she was true to the promise she had begun.
God then gave two beautiful daughters and three additional sons.

Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with God and men.
With Godly character instilled in him, the next phase could begin.
Eli was old and his sons were wicked. God heard the nation’s cry.
Samuel soon would be the high priest; Hophni and Phinehas would die.

Perhaps you have waited many long years for an answer to your prayer.
You’ve been praying earnestly wondering if He is there.
Let the example of Hannah remind you that nothing is wrong.
“For the race is not always to the swift or the battle to the strong.” **

* Samuel means “heard of God”
**Ecclesiastes 9:11

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Ruth and the Kinsman Redeemer

The Book of Ruth

Naomi and husband, Elimelech, experienced a famine severe.
They left Bethlehem, moved to Moab, and stayed there many a year.
They had two sons who married girls of Moabite descent.
When all three husbands suddenly died, all hope and joy was spent.

Naomi decided it would be best to go back to Bethlehem.
She told her daughters they should stay and find good Moabite men.
Orpah left and returned to her home to live with her folks for a while,
But Ruth decided to stay with Naomi and share her every trial.

Naomi told Ruth to call her “Mara,” for her sorrow was great.
The joy of life had now turned bitter with heartache on her plate.
Together they travelled to Bethlehem where they were warmly received,
But how they would support themselves, they had not yet perceived.

Boaz was Naomi’s relative from her husband’s side.
Because he cared about the poor, gleaners were not denied.
Ruth’s love for Naomi and faithfulness created a strong appeal,
So Boaz managed harvest conditions to keep Ruth in his fields.

Regarding Boaz Naomi observed strong character in his life.
She saw that he had interest in Ruth as a prospective wife.
She explained the Kinsman Redeemer, told Ruth just what to do.
As a kinsman, he could redeem her if he would follow through.

Ruth obeyed her mother-in-law and carried out her suggestion.
Boaz responded to Ruth’s request and acted with discretion.
First he had to open the door to a relative closer than he.
Once again he demonstrates his life of integrity.

Boaz went into the city and gathered the elders round.
Then he called the other kinsman to hear the proposal sound.
Naomi had a piece of land for redemption at a fair price.
Included in the redemption process, Ruth would become his wife.

The responsibility of the redeemer is to preserve the family name.
The nearest redeemer wanted the land, but the duty he would not claim.
This left Boaz free to redeem the property for the clan.
He joyfully took Ruth to be his wife and gave her Mahlon’s land.

Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer. He paid the debt we owe.
He has received us as His bride because He loves us so.
Just as Boaz honored Ruth and showered her with love,
So the Lord in glorious truth will take us to heaven above.

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Samson and Delilah

Judges 16

When Sampson saw Delilah that day, feelings of love swept through him,
But she attempted to lead him astray so the Philistines could subdue him.
“Tell me the secrets of your great strength. How can you be restrained?”
“Tie me with some brand new rope,” Samson quickly proclaimed.

So Delilah tied him with new rope tight just as Samson had said.
But just when his capture was in sight he snapped them off like thread.
When this trick failed she tried again but clearly she was failing.
She pestered him for days on end with constant nagging and wailing.

One day when she once again pled, he told her about his long hair.
“If you were to shave my head, my strength would no longer be there.”
Delilah kissed him and stroked his face til he fell asleep in her lap.
The barber sneaked in and cut off his hair while he was taking a nap.

When he awoke he heard her shout, “The Philistines are here.”
He arose, stretched out his arms; suddenly experienced fear.
His strength, once great, had abandoned him and to his sad surprise,
The Philistine army captured him and cruelly gouged out his eyes.

So there he was, working in prison pushing the grinding stone.
His dignity and freedom was gone, his life no longer his own.
Day after day he plodded along, his head bowed in silent prayer.
No one saw he was growing strong or noticed his flowing hair.

There came a day for a pagan assembly, a time to celebrate.
They brought Samson into the temple laughing at his fate.
He stumbled through the pagan shrine until he found the main pillar.
Crying to God, he pulled it down; it became a Philistine killer.

Samson also died that day when the temple came tumbling down.
The God of Israel heard him pray; made him a man of renown.
Samson killed many with feats of strength before he went astray,
But never had the Philistines suffered as they did that day.

Samson was a mighty man but given to sorry vices.
He fell victim to Satan’s plan and to his evil devices.
We can avoid the devil’s schemes and resist his evil charmers
If we stay close to our Lord supreme and put on our spiritual armor.

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Samson Defeats the Philistines

Judges 15

Have you noticed in your life experience how some are born for trouble?
They march through life mowing down others leaving a pile of rubble.
Samson was that kind of a man. He was not perfect by far.
How is it that God could use someone whose behavior was so bizarre?

You must remember that God is above all the wisdom of man.
He alone is aware of the truth, of the sins over many life spans.
He often used an imperfect man to bring justice to wicked nations.
He used Sampson to set Israel free from Philistine domination.

We already know how it all began when his wife betrayed her spouse.
She placed others above her marriage, so Samson left the house.
A few months later he came with a gift to spend some time with his wife.
That’s when he learned she belonged to another creating additional strife.

It is true that he was betrayed, but he had left in an angry fit.
Her father thought he rejected his bride convinced that he had split.
As a result to avoid the dishonor, he gave her to Samson’s best man.
That failure in their communication is where the trouble began.

Samson, enraged, wanted revenge; saw their fields of flowing wheat.
He tied 300 foxes two by two with a torch behind their rear feet.
Then he released them into the fields, the vineyards, and olive trees.
The wheat and all the Philistine crops were completely destroyed with ease.

Someone told the Philistines why Samson expressed such ire.
They went up to the Timnite home and killed them all with fire.
That only served to stir him more. From the hills he came bounding down.
He slaughtered many Philistines stacking them on the ground.

The men of Israel woke up one morn with Philistines camped in the valley.
They said, “Go get Samson, bring him back, or today will be your finale.”
They went to Samson and made a promise to take him down there alive.
Samson was willing to face the Philistines, sure that he would survive.

The Philistines shouted as he came down and the Spirit came upon him.
He broke the ropes, grabbed a club and began a task quite grim.
He flailed the jaw bone of an ass and killed a thousand men.
The Philistines who came against him were defeated once again.

Many prefer not to hear this story wishing God would leave it out.
It’s so much easier to give God glory when we read about men devout.
But Samson was a real man with all of his anger and sin.
God used him to deliver judgment on those who had sinned against Him.

Yet to come is a terrible day when men stand at the Great White Throne.
They will be judged for their Christ-rejection and claim their sin as their own.
Here is the way to avoid this judgment: accept God’s salvation plan.
Give all of your life to the Savior’s love and reject the wisdom of man.

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved