Main Verse: 1 Samuel 3

Good morning!

This familiar passage recounts how the Lord spoke to Samuel. The reason the Lord used Eli’s voice, I believe anyway, is that it was familiar to Samuel. In the same way, when Jesus taught his disciples and the people attending his services, he used cultural things like farming and fishing to convey difficult subjects such as Heaven and the Kingdom of God. Samuel was given a word from the Lord about Eli and his two sons Hophni and Phineas. Delivering a prophecy is difficult enough having to tell someone about something that hasn’t happened yet or to set a course of correction but, is compounded when you add in the age difference between the two parties. Eli knew that the Lord had spoken to Samuel so he cornered him. We are not privy to what Samuel told Eli but the essence was that Eli and his sons’ days were numbered. Because Samuel was faithful, the Lord used him to speak to the nation.

When prophecy or a message from the Lord is rare like it is now, telling anybody anything in the name of Jesus is a fearful thing because “what if we are wrong”. Scripture tells us that there are two types of Prophets “false” (Ezekiel 13) and “true” (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). Uttering false prophecy is easy, just open your mouth and speak. The problem with false prophecy is that “Good News” builds up false expectations and when the message does not come to fruition, hope is destroyed. Samuel’s message may not have been easy to digest, but it was something Eli and his sons needed to hear – whether Samuel liked it or not. The reason we do not hear from the Lord today is that we do not take the time to listen to Him and willingly submit our lives to Him (James 4:7-8). My encouragement for you today is that you will take the time to listen to the Lord; fear will always try to shake our tree but, for that, I leave you with the words of the writer of Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all your might and do not depend on your understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I.H.S Mk

Father,

You have so much to tell us, so many blessings you wish to bestow on us if only we’d listen to you. I know from personal testimony that humans get too busy in life which separates us from You something that breaks your heart. When we speak in Your name, we are held accountable for what we are told and what we are given (Luke 12:48). I know that I have failed You more times than I have been obedient, Please help me today to follow You always even when my fears say, “Give it up!”. May my spiritual eyes and ears be open to hear Your voice and obediently follow you.

In Jesus’ name