1 Samuel 8:4-9; 19 Finally the leaders of Israel met in Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. They told him that since his retirement things hadn’t been the same, for his sons were not good men. “Give us a king like all the other nations have,” they pleaded. Samuel was terribly upset and went to the Lord for advice. “Do as they say,” the Lord replied, “for I am the one they are rejecting, not you---they don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually forsaken me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but warn them about what it will be like to have a king!”. . . . But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said, “for we want to be like the nations around us. He will govern us and lead us to battle.”
[Living Bible translation]
Summary
Samuel was God’s prophet---God’s messenger to the people. But the people did not want a messenger from God or GOD’s leadership. They wanted a king. At first Samuel was upset. Samuel had spent his entire “career” as a prophet trying to help the Israelites serve GOD and now it seemed that all of his work trying to steer the Israelites in the right direction was for nothing! Despite all that GOD had done, the Israelites wanted a king to lead them instead of GOD. They wanted to be “like the [other] nations.” They looked at other nations and wanted what they had. They wanted to be just like everyone else.
1 Samuel 8:1-19 is a classic example of a people making a decision detrimental to their own physical, emotional and spiritual health----choosing what they wanted instead of choosing what they needed.
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Although eating is one of the most common of human experiences in the world, people may give little thought to what their nutritional needs are. Most people just eat what they want. When addressing what a person’s nutritional needs are, a number of variables may be considered. Some of those variables include the person’s: age, level of physical activity, physical health (e.g., whether a doctor has diagnosed a disease or condition) and emotional health.
Older Adults
In “Older Adults: 9 Nutrients You May Be Missing,” Peter Jaret, in an WebMD article reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH, lists 9 key nutrients that are essential for older adults. The first four included:
1. Vitamin B12
2. Folate/Folic Acid
3. Calcium
4. Vitamin D
See, last week’s message: “Choosing Needs Over Wants –Part1” The other nutrients that Jaret references that are essential for older adults include:
5. Potassium
Potassium also keeps bones strong. It is also vital for cell function and studies have shown that it may help to reduce high blood pressure and the risk of kidney stones. The body also needs potassium to build muscle and protein, break down and use carbohydrates and control the electrical activity of the heart.
How to hit the mark: Some of the fruits and vegetables sources of potassium include: banana, prunes, plums, and kiwi, dried apricots and potatoes, especially their skins. Soy products are also a good source of potassium.
6. Magnesium
Magnesium is important to a number of bodily processes. It is important to the immune system, helps heart function and also important to bone strength. It helps to maintain blood glucose levels and aids in the production of energy and protein. Absorption of magnesium decreases with age.
How to hit the mark: Dark green leafy vegetables, nuts (such as almonds and cashews), avocados, bananas, dried apricots, seeds and soy products are great sources of magnesium.
7. Fiber
Fiber, sometimes called roughage or bulk, promotes healthy digestion by moving foods through the digestive tract. Unlike other foods like fats, carbohydrates and protein, fiber is not absorbed or digested by the body. It passes through the stomach, the small intestine, the colon and out the body. Soluble fiber dissolves into water and turns into a gel-like substance. Insoluble fiber increases stool bulk and is helpful to those struggling with constipation or irregular bowel.
How to hit the mark: Eat more nuts, green beans, apples, carrots, cauliflower, oat bran and flaxseed.
8. Omega-3 Fats
Omega-3 Fats called unsaturated fats have a wide range of benefits, including possibly reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease of reduced vision in the elderly. It is one of the fats the body cannot make but must get from foods. There are studies showing Omega-3 fatty acids to be helpful in preventing heart disease and stroke.
How to hit the mark: Omega-3 fats are often associated with fish (salmon, tuna, and sardines), however some vegetable sources of Omega-3 fats include soybeans, walnuts, flaxseed and vegetable oils.
9 Water
Water is crucial for good health. Aging sometimes causes a decline in the sense of thirst. In addition certain medicines may increase the risk for becoming dehydrated. Water is especially important if you are increasing fiber in your diet since fiber absorbs water.
How to hit the mark: One sign that you are drinking enough is the color of your urine. It should be pale yellow. If it is bright or dark yellow, you may need to drink more liquids.
“Older Adults: 9 Nutrients You May Be Missing,” by Peter Jaret, www.webmd.com also, www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource.
THE CHOICES WE MAKE
We are bombarded with advertisements, temptations, demands and requests that we make a number of choices every day. Televisions ads, computer ads, newspaper and magazine ads constantly vie for our attention. There are numerous temptations for us to purchase something so we can “Be like Mike,” “Be like the Cool Kids,” “Have What Everyone Else Has,” or simply indulge ourselves. People often want what “other people have,” not realizing that what they want is not what they need.
Continue to pray about needs and wants.
Pray for a DISCERNING SPIRIT and BE BLESSED!
