As a teenager, I went through a phase of being awfully upset because my parents wouldn’t allow me to do many of the things my peers were doing. Others enjoyed freedoms I couldn’t despite being the same age. My parents were strict, and I didn’t understand why they imposed so many restrictions on me.

Why can’t I just be like everyone else? I wondered.

Now that I am older and wiser, I totally get it! Mom and Dad were protecting me from dangers that I wasn’t wise or mature enough to recognize and avoid. Looking back through eyes of wisdom, I fully appreciate the boundaries they set for me. Because of their guidance and tough love, I avoided a lot of pain and pitfalls. Grownup Dianna knows that being like everybody else is overrated.

If only Israel could have recognized this, they would have avoided some of the hardships and struggles they endured. But in 1 Samuel 8, they rejected God’s wisdom and guidance and demanded to have a king like all the other nations. They wanted to conform.

Of course, we know that God was already their King. He had done amazing things for them that no human monarch could replicate, but Israel thought they knew what was best. They started looking to man as their source, and that was a big mistake.

In spite of God warning Israel through Samuel the Prophet of the burdens they would heap upon their shoulders by appointing a king, Israel insisted: “Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles” (v. 20).

They said this as if God had not already delivered them, worked miracles for them and fought their battles many times! Let us never make the same blunder Israel made and forget that God is our King. He is all-sufficient. He has everything we need. He is our deliverer, miracle-worker and way-maker. He fights our battles for us and gives us the victory.

You may be facing a challenge, dealing with a struggle, or staring at a mountain that won’t move. God is sending you this reminder: He is God, and He is enough.

Instead of leaning on man’s strength or your own understanding, lean on Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Great Jehovah. Wonderful Counselor. The Great I Am. Our compassionate savior. Our healer. Our sustainer and provider. He is everything, and He has everything you need. Rest in that.

Today, I’m stirring Psalm 24:8 NIV into your cup of inspiration which says, “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, rejoice that the strongest and mightiest of all is your king. He reigns over your situation. He is in full control, and He promises to take care of you. Therefore, submit to His sovereign authority, and know that you have nothing to worry about. Just as He delivered Israel and brought them safely into their land of promise, He will do the same for you.

Now, let’s pray.

God, thank You for being my sufficiency. You are indeed everything I need. When I feel tempted to lean on my own understanding and depend on man’s power, please remind me of this word. You are the Lord strong and mighty. You are more than enough for me. And You will supply every need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!