Pastor Jon Verwey

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” — 1 Samuel 8:4-5 (NIV)

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. — 1 Samuel 8:6 (NIV)

7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. — 1 Samuel 8:6–7 (NIV)

They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within by dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good. — TS Eliot, The Rock

25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. — Jude 25 (NIV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)