Rejecting and Receiving

"The LORD said… they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them… they have forsaken Me, and served other gods… show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them" (1 Samuel 8:7-9).  "But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead… Unto you first, God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:14,15,26).

The Lord explained to Samuel

Why there would be a king selected: 

Because the hearts of Israel

Had turned from God whom they rejected. 

The consequence this choice shall bring,

That follows with its harsh reward, 

Is found when hearts receive a king

Who isn't like our gracious Lord. 

When Christ our Savior was denied,

A killer was received instead. 

They killed our Lord who for us died,

Whom God then raised up from the dead. 

There is no choice that is so strange,

O Lord, as hearts that are rejecting

Your grace for wrath that they exchange,

Receiving what they weren't expecting.