By Steven Temple

Contributing Columnist

 

There is a major boom in people purchasing counterfeit or knock-off merchandise. The majority of these are found online and cost 70 or 80 percent less than the original or the real. People are trying to save money in any way that they can and this is an avenue that allows them to do just that.

In purchasing some of these counterfeits, even though there is a stark difference in the pricing, a lot of them have almost unnoticeable differences. They look just like what it is intended to. Sometimes even fooling the original. From clothing, to shoes, watches, games, electronics, whatever it is that you desire, it can be found with a simple search on the internet. Along with these you also find the sites that offer the counterfeit.

Even though things may look alike, it does not mean they have the same qualities or longevity. There is a reason that the original costs more than the knock-off. The extent of and the research that has gone into the development and branding of the original is not met by those counterfeit things. The same credentials and criteria are not met on the counterfeit side.

In 1 Samuel 12 the Israelites have chosen to anoint a king over them. Up until this time they had always been led by God and the man that God had sent for them. They were taking their faith that they once placed in God and moving it to a man of flesh and bones. They chose a knock-off king instead of the King of all Kings.

Even though Saul was great in stature, excelled in warfare, destroyed in battle, and was a natural leader, his skills were subpar to those of the Lord. He was not able to control the winds, the weather, he could not bring water from the rock, nor could he dry up the rivers. Saul could raid a place and bring them treasures but he was not able to rain manna from heaven to sustain the people. Even though he was able to do some things, he did not have the quality nor the longevity that comes from letting God lead the way. Saul could help along in the fights that they would encounter but he was not able to save them. Only God can do that.

Be careful today on what you chose and what you anoint as king in your life. Be careful not to settle for a knock-off version that has no power. Lean not on thine own understanding. Our minds are programmed to find that which is convenient not what is tested and tried. When your life comes to an end, the flesh and bones of your king can go no further than the graveside, yet, God, is able to stand with you beyond. Counterfeit and knockoffs are readily available and cheap. But those things will never last. Trust in the enduring hand of the Lord, anoint Jesus as King of your life today.

Pastor Steven Temple is the Pastor of The Church on the Hill in Rose Hill, VA. You can reach Pastor Steven via email at: Pastor.Steven.Temple@gmail.com