The nation of Israel is clamoring for a king like all the nations around them. Samuel, God’s Prophet, explains the consequences of having a King; High taxes, drafting sons and daughters into government service, taking fields and crops for support of a lavish lifestyle, etc. But, the nation won’t listen and insists on becoming like the nations around them. Samuel further warns them, that when this oppression becomes too severe for you and you cry out for help from God, “but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” All you’ll get from me and God is “I told you so.”

Psalm 106, verse 15, in the King James Translation says, “And He (God) gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls.”  This was specifically referring to Israel’s demand for meat to eat rather than the manna.

There are a couple lessons for us. First, be careful what you ask God for, He might give it to you. We should learn to be content with our “manna” in life and trust God for the provision He sends. If we insist, and get it, a “leanness of soul” might come along with it.

Second, you can be confident that when God doesn’t answer our prayers, He has a good reason. Since He knows the future, and we don’t, we should trust His decisions. When he doesn’t give us what we want it’s often because we don’t actually know what is really good for us. He does! The next time you feel down because you didn’t get what you want, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.