The LORD sent thunder and rain that day...

    In the midst of the wheat harvest God sent the people an unforgettable message. His voice was the thunder and the rain was His presence. This was not a sign to encourage them but to warn them and expose their hearts before a God who loves them and desires to be their God. God sent a prophet to speak to His people and warn them of their decision. To show them that a king (man-leader) is not the answer. He is their answer. And He will always be their answer. How often we so easily forget who are real King is.The people wanted a man-king to protect their lives from their enemies and their wealth.

   

 The last enemy mentioned by Samuel was Nahash a king of the ammonites. The ammonites were the descendants of Lot. They were not allowed to enter into the covenant relationship with God nor worship God in His temple. The ammonites enjoyed it when God's people were defeat and humiliated (Ezekiel's prophecy). The enemy here desired to destroy and plunder God's people and steal their wheat. This is one main reason the people cried out to Samuel for a man-king. God did not work that way. Instead if they did not rebel against Him then He operated in their midst in the fullness of His Kingdom's power. If they rebelled then The Kingdom of the World and its prince would dominate and destroy them. I believe that we may soon see our elder prophets rise up from among our midst who will declare to us "Stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes." We soon may hear the thunder and feel the rain in the midst of our great buildings, projects, plans, and budgets. Thunder and rain in the midst of our assemblies will spoil our services and harvest.

    NOT A THREAT BUT A WARNING:Let us not forget that rain will destroy the wheat harvest unless is brought into the storehouse and protected. If the wheat is dampened by the rain it will eventually mold and be ruined. If the wheat is ruined the people will starve along with their animals and families. This struck fear in the hearts of the people. This was the message God had for His people to understand that this is what their lives would be like if they turned away from Their God. He alone would protected them. He alone would provided for them. He alone could be their rightful King.

1 Samuel 12:12-25

¹²And when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king.
¹³ “Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. And take note, the LORD has set a king over you. ¹⁴ If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God. ¹⁵ However, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers.
¹⁶ “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes: ¹⁷ Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves.”
¹⁸ So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
¹⁹ And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”
²⁰ Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. ²¹ And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. ²² For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. ²³ Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. ²⁴ Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. ²⁵ But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”