When We Already Have the Answer

My dear friend,

I was reading through the first book of Samuel, specifically chapter 8. And you might be wondering, “Why specifically chapter 8?” Because that’s where I stopped.

I was reading the Bible in order, and for some reason, I stopped right there. But the Lord placed it on my heart to pick it back up again.

And I think it’s important not to overlook the details, because that’s exactly what I want to talk about. This chapter has given me so much to reflect on. When we really slow down and look at this chapter, we see a God who deeply loves His children and who, although the Bible doesn’t literally say that God was saddened, allows us to see the weight and pain behind His words when His people chose to reject His leadership.

In this chapter, Samuel is getting older, and he appoints his sons as judges over Israel. But his sons did not walk in the ways of their father. They were driven by greed, accepted bribes, and perverted justice. Because of this, the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah.

But this is what really caught my attention: They didn’t come simply to bring the problem to Samuel and ask, “What should we do?”

They had already made up their minds. They told Samuel that they wanted a king to judge them, just like all the other nations had. They didn’t come saying, “Samuel, our judges are not walking in righteousness. Go and ask God what we should do.” They already had a request in their hearts.

And, of course, this displeased Samuel. But Samuel did something we can learn from: he brought the situation before God.

And God answered 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 8:7

That part really stood out to me. Because if we stop and think about what rejection feels like, we know that rejection hurts.

Now imagine God.

The same God who had delivered them from slavery.
The God who had provided for them.
The God who had cared for them, sustained them, and guided them.
The God who had shown them His faithfulness over and over again.

And yet, they still said, “We want to be like the other nations.” They wanted a visible king to rule over them and fight their battles. In other words, they were looking around and saying, “What they have is what we need.”

And God, in His mercy, doesn’t simply say yes. He warns them.

He tells Samuel to explain exactly what the king they were asking for would do. Samuel tells them that the king would take their sons, their daughters, their land, their crops, their servants, and much more. God was showing them the consequences before they made their decision.

But they didn’t want to listen. 1 Samuel 8:19 says: “But the people refused to listen to Samuel. ‘No!’ they said. ‘We want a king over us.’” And this is where I feel like this chapter confronts us. How many times do we do the same thing? How many times do we come before God in prayer, but we've already decided what we want?

We aren't asking, “Lord, what is Your will?”

We're saying, “Lord, bless what I have already decided.”

And there is a huge difference.

Sometimes we pray for things we genuinely desire, but we never stop to ask God whether what we desire is actually aligned with His will. And we have to ask ourselves: Am I asking for this because God placed this desire in my heart, or because I’m looking at what someone else has? Do I want this because it is genuinely part of what God is doing in my life, or because I see someone else’s life and feel like I should have the same thing?

Because we live in a generation where we are constantly seeing what other people have.

We see their relationships. Their homes. Their businesses. Their ministries. Their vacations. Their bodies. Their opportunities. Their platforms.

And without realizing it, we can begin asking God for things He never asked us to pursue.

So how are we approaching God?

With a heart that is willing to listen? Or with a decision that has already been made? Because God doesn’t just want to hear our requests. He wants us to learn how to hear His voice.

And something else that moves me about this chapter is that God did not force them. He allowed them to choose. He warned them. He showed them the consequences. He gave them the opportunity to listen. But they insisted. And God gave them what they asked for.

This reminds us of something important: God does not abandon His children when they make wrong decisions. But we also cannot blame God for decisions we made without seeking His will.

We have the freedom to choose, but our choices also have consequences.

Sometimes we say, “God allowed this to happen to me.” But we have to honestly ask ourselves: “Did I actually ask God before making this decision?” Because God can warn us, redirect us, and show us His way, but we also have to be willing to obey. The Bible reminds us that God’s will is good, pleasing, and perfect. So do we really trust Him with the course of our lives?

With our relationships? With our decisions? With our dreams? With our timing? With the things we are waiting for? Or do we only trust God when His will agrees with ours?

Because God already knows what is coming. He sees what we cannot see. He knows the plans He has for our lives. So if He can see the entire road and we can only see the next step, why wouldn’t we trust the One who already knows the ending?

I know that sometimes we pray and desire certain things. I’m not saying this from a place of superiority, because I’ve done it too. I’ve also come before God wanting a specific answer. But this chapter reminded me of something: God is always trying to guide us, warn us, protect us, and lead us in the right direction. And even though He loves us deeply, He also allows us to choose.

So today, I want to leave you with this question: What you are asking God for, does it truly come from Him, or does it come from comparison?

Before asking God to give you what you want, maybe this time you can begin by saying: “Lord, if this isn’t from You, change my heart. If this isn’t Your will, give me the strength to let it go. And if it is from You, teach me how to wait for Your timing.”

Because maybe the answer God wants to give you isn’t simply a “yes” or a “no” to what you’re asking for. Maybe He wants to teach you how to trust Him first.

Trust God. Trust His plans. Trust His will.

He knows what is coming for your life. And if He knows the entire journey, you don’t have to be afraid to let Him lead your steps.