Session 25

Do you blend in?

From 1 Samuel: A 6-Week Devotional

Samuel was the judge of Israel who led the nation back into the direction of God. When Samuel was ready to retire, the nation demanded a king like neighboring nations instead of a new judge. 

God wasn’t pleased with this request because demanding a king meant the nation was rejecting God as their leader. Still, God tells Samuel to anoint Saul, a successful soldier, as Israel’s first king. 

Like the nation of Israel, we sometimes want to go our own way — rejecting the Lord’s ways and ignoring His promises. Although we know God’s promises are true and His ways are greater, our selfishness tends to get the best of us as we try to blend in with our culture. 

The Bible calls believers to stand strong against the patterns of this world and not conform to everyone else’s way of thinking (Romans 12:2). If going into the day feels like a fight, that’s because it is. We have a real enemy who wants us to blend in and to forget who we are in Christ. Keeping our minds focused on Jesus requires us to put on spiritual armor every day (Ephesians 6:10-18). 

 Is blending in worth it if it causes us to settle for less than God’s best?

Blending in might be easier, but is blending in worth it if it causes us to settle for less than God’s best?

Jesus said God knows every strand of hair on our heads (Luke 12:7). So even if we think we know ourselves best, God knows us even better. When we choose God’s way, we gain true happiness, peace, and joy — a life of greatness beyond measure. God’s strength and promises are the only thing that can make us flourish. 

Reflect:

• What’s one way that wanting to be like everyone else has gotten you in trouble in the past? 
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how content are you with your life today? Why did you choose that number?
• How much of your ability to feel content is based on how your life compares to others? Why is that a dangerous measurement?