105. Theocracy.

I will be thy King. - Hosea 13:10.

This was God's declaration to Israel, meeting a great want, and saving the people from a great burden. They were to be spared the expense and danger arising from a human monarch, and to find government and headship in God himself.

This did not content their unspiritual nature, and they desired a king, like the nations around them. By this desire they angered the Lord, and missed a great privilege. To us the Lord presents the same privilege in a high spiritual sense, and if we are wise we shall accept it.

I. THE CRAVING OF NATURE. "Give me a king."

We do not go into the political question of the right or wrong of monarchy in the abstract: that would be too vexed a discussion, and unsuitable for our present engagement. We are quite content with the form of government of our own land.

But we speak morally and spiritually of individual need.

Man was happy in the garden while God was his King; but when he became a rebel and traitor, he lost his paradise and peace, and since has needed a King.

"Give me a king" is:

1. The cry of weakness. Man needs some one to look up to.

2. The sigh of distress. In straits he sighs for the wise and the strong to counsel and succor him.

3. The prayer of thoughtfulness.

· Anarchy of soul is terrible; each passion fights for mastery.

· A kingless, aimless life is misery. Idleness is hard work: the purposeless are unhappy.

· King Self is a poor, mean, despicable despot, foolish and feeble.

· The World is a cruel and ungrateful master.

4. The desire of experience.

· Folly proved makes us desire a Lawgiver.

· Danger felt makes us long for a Protector.

· Responsibility weighing upon us makes us sigh for a Superior, who will undertake to choose our way, and direct us in it.

II. THE ROYAL ANSWER OF GRACE. "I will be thy King."

l. Eminently condescending. Our God comes to rule over—

· A ruined, bankrupt, desolated realm.

· Torn to pieces by contending pretenders.

· Surrounded by mighty and relentless enemies.

· Full of unruly members.

· Nothing but infinite love could prompt him to assume such a throne, or to wear a crown which cost him so dear. "Behold your King!"

2. Abundantly satisfactory; for—

· He has power to subdue every inward rebel.

· He has a character worthy of dominion. It is a great honor to submit to such a Prince.

· He has more than the wisdom of Solomon to arrange every matter.

· He has goodness to bless, and he is as ready as he is able to make his reign a period of happiness, peace, and prosperity.

· He has love with which to command affectionate obedience.

3. Infinitely consoling—

· To be protected by his omnipotence.

· To be ruled by absolute perfection.

· To be governed by a King who can neither be defeated, nor die, nor abdicate, nor change.

· To find in God far more of greatness and goodness than could be dreamed of as existing in the best of earthly sovereigns.

4. Gloriously inspiring—

· To live and die for such a Leader.

· To claim possession of human hearts for such a Benefactor.

· To have such an Example for obedient imitation.

· To be for ever linked with a Potentate so majestic.

III. THE DELIGHT OF LOYALTY. Our answer to the promise of the text is this: "Thou art my King, O God" (Ps. 44:4).

If we unreservedly accept our King —

1. We look to see and share his glory ere long (Isa. 33:17).

2. We expect present deliverances (Ps. 44:4).

3. We repose in delicious confidence in the wisdom, goodness, and immutability of all his arrangements.

4. We seek to extend his dominions (Matt. 6:10).

5. We glory in his name with unspeakable delight. His history is our meditation, his promise is our sustentation, his honors are our glory, and his person is our adoration. His throne is our haven and our heaven. He, himself, is all our salvation, and all our desire (2 Sam. 23:5).