Episode Details

Are you insecure and about to make a stupid request or decision?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 8. I've titled this chapter "When Our Insecurities Define Us."

Today, our text is 1 Samuel 8:7-9, which reads:

And the Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them." — 1 Samuel 8:7-9

When we are insecure, we are all prone to making decisions we later regret. I've been there too. But if we're not careful, these insecurities, often based on untruthful biases, can lead to irreversible consequences.

Here are some famous last words of insecure people who end up making stupid decisions:

• "But all my other friends are going."
• "There might be drinking, but I won't drink."
• "One look won't hurt."
• "She came onto me."
• "I didn't know how old she was."
• "I needed a ride, so I got in the car."
• "It's just one little lie."
• "Nobody will ever find out."
• "I'm just trying to fit in."
• "I'll quit before it gets too serious."
• "It won't happen to me."
• "Just this once."
• "It's just a harmless joke."
• "I can stop anytime I want."
• "It's not like I'm hurting anyone."
• "I'm sure it's no big deal."
• "Everyone else is doing it."
• "I'm just blowing off steam."
• "It's not my fault."
• "I'm too stressed to care right now."

If we back up one verse, we read Israel's famous last words: "Give us a king to judge us."

Here is what is so interesting about this situation.

God responds by instructing Samuel to give them what they want. The people of Israel have legitimately identified the right issue (Samuel's impending leadership transition) but regrettably presented the wrong solution. They are so committed to the wrong decision that they do not see it as a direct rejection of God as King. Yet God tells Samuel to give them what they want. Fascinating!

When you face an insecure moment and a big decision, the best thing you can do is set your desires aside and seek God's desires.

Our will is deceptively devious. It finds justification in circumstances, comparisons, and confirming voices. Sometimes, we perceive these confirmations as God's Will when they are not. We might be conflating our will with God's Will, and God might even give you over to your will because that is what you want.

Get wiser when you are insecure. The next time you feel uncertain or insecure, try this: Set your desires aside for a moment. Take a fresh look at the situation and assess the problem. Consider your solution, and then consider God's solution. As Samuel does for Israel, play your will and God's Will out. Then compare the outcomes, and maybe next time, in your insecurity, you won't make the same stupid decision tha