So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. 1 Samuel 8:4-5 HCSB
We just celebrated Father’s Day. God has blessed me with four wonderful children, two boys and two girls. I hope and pray that I have brought them up correctly and that they have learned from me how to live and conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner. It is a challenging responsibility to raise children and bring them up in the ways of the Lord. I pray that I have set a good example for them to follow.
Evidently, Samuel set a good example for his two sons to follow, but they chose to go their own way. They lived lives that were characterized by dishonest gain, bribes, and perverted justice. They were not good candidates to become the next leaders or judges of Israel, therefore the elders from each tribe came to Samuel to request that God appoint a King to rule over them instead of Samuel’s sons.
Challenge: What type of example are you setting for your children? Children must make their own choices. If you have a child who has made wrong choices, it does not necessarily mean you have set a bad example. Ask God to help you to be a shining example to your children and others. May the Light of Jesus shine forth in your life. Watch the video on YouTube of the song “Slow Fade” by Casting Crowns. at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk