Hosea 8:4 – “They have set up kings, but not by Me.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, something stirred in me about the Kingdom we seek.   Hosea 8:4 – “They have set up kings, but not by Me.”   That is the beginning of destruction.   God’s plea is seen in Hosea 10:12 – “Break up the fallow ground of the heart.”   Setting up kings or seeking kingdoms for those kings leads to barrenness and destruction.

In Luke 15, we find the story of the Prodigal Son.   We tend to focus on the Prodigal and miss the bigger picture directed to the church.  The angry, jealous, wounded Elder Brother.  Both had received their portions.  (Luke 15:12). The elder brother was jealous and felt slighted and underappreciated. He complained in a poor-me pity party. He represents much of the church today.

The church often endures what it shouldn’t be enjoying and celebrating. Waiting for the elusive “someday will be” rather than living today!  We are looking for that future time or that time when all will fall into place, our ship will come in, and our dreams will be realized.  We are looking for the coming of the kingdom from a flawed view.

Jesus said, Luke 17:20-21 – “The kingdom of God IS NOT COMING with signs to be observed…Behold, the Kingdom of God is in your midst.” The KJV renders it “within you.”  Thus, we see that the kingdom with its king is Christ IN us, Christ Through us, and Christ BY us.

If He has our hearts, we have the Kingdom and begin to live the kingdom life Jesus came to give.    Luke 12:32 – “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”

If we set up any king, focusing on some unfulfilled event as our launching event, we are seeking a kingdom not by or from God.   If nothing is impossible with God, then what we thought was required to launch us is not required.  GOD is required.   Total surrender is required.   Total confidence is required.  He is not interested in our acts; He is interested in our hearts.

When God is in charge within us, the Kingdom is manifested through us.   Don’t wait for fantasy run to reality – Christ in us! God has no lack, but we often lack because we are seeking a king and kingdom, not by Him.

It is not that we give up things for Him.  It is that we give Him all things, and in return, we get Him who is and has all things. The kingdom is within us! Today is the day to be in the kingdom and see the fruit of the kingdom. The world needs Jesus, and He is IN us! Such as I have, I give!

LORD, help us to have no kings but You!