But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.
The pandemic of Covid-19 has literally spread to every nation on earth. It presented unprecedented challenges to the entire world. Nations are caught by surprise in tackling the threat of the virus, as well as other consequential and related problems, such as impacts on economy, social life and even political ideologies. Swift, precise decisions are needed in times of crisis such as now. Decisive national leaders make these much needed decisions without going through the normal protocol and process, a much criticized move in a democratic system. Yet, the world is looking for direction, solutions, and wise decisions, which sometimes cannot wait. This predicament is what I consider as “Leadership Deficit” of the human civilization.
When Israel asked for a king to rule over them, they did not merely reject the God appointed judges, but God Himself as King. God had in His wisdom, intended Israel to be a model nation to the nations surrounding them. When God is their King, they have an all-wise, loving, decisive, powerful, just and righteous King to lead them in every situation in their national life. They have a blueprint for righteous governance in a God-given “Constitution” – the laws and words of God. They have a heaven-instituted Court of Justice to decide on disputes among the people. They have a Mighty Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful army on earth to defend and protect them, the Army of the Lord! They have the most advance medical team at all times, led by the most efficient healer – the God who Heals! They have the most knowledgeable consultant for agricultural, commerce, shipping, international relation and education, the all-knowing God. The list goes on, as you could imagine!
Whatever political system or ideology we prefer in a nation, the rejection of God as King by rejecting His values, principles of justice and righteousness would create a vacuum in the governance of that nation. The leadership deficit in our society, world and civilization can only be filled when we return to God, when we agree to embrace His values and His standard of righteousness and justice. Nations are created to function healthily when God is King.
So we pray, “May Your Kingdom come, may Your will be done, on earth (in our lives and in the nations of the world) as it is in heaven”!