…you came to me and said that

you wanted a king to reign over you,

even though the LORD your God

was already your king.

All right,

here is the king you have chosen.

You asked for him,

and the LORD has granted your request.

1 Samuel 12:12-13

 

You asked for him. Scary words. It’s one thing for God to say “yes” to my prayer, but quite another to hear “you asked for it” preceding his “yes”.

My two-year-old granddaughter, Faith Cora, loves little animal figures and we shopped today to add to her small collection. She first chose a horse, cow, and reindeer. Then decided on a boxed collection of five jungle animals. Then changed her mind back to the cow, horse and reindeer. Then repeated the process one more time.

I didn’t rush her. It was completely her decision. She was a happy girl when we left the toy aisle with the horse, cow and reindeer in our basket. And she was still content when she placed them on the checkout conveyor belt all by herself.

We walked to the car, I buckled her in her car seat, and handed her the sack containing the horse, cow, and reindeer.

And she immediately burst into tears and said, “We got the wrong ones”.

Buyer’s remorse.

Maybe that’s why Jesus said to pray like this:

 

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever.

Amen.

 

 

(bold/italics mine)