1 Samuel Chapter
3.
Firstly the chapter start by saying, the word of the Lord
was rare and precious in
those days. God spoke through prophets and in this case was Eli. There
was no frequent or widely spread vision.
Just like Eli and
Israel at the time, we often find ourselves in this kind of a situation, where
God’s voice or communion with him seems so distant and very dry. We need to be
tuned with the Spirit to know when His Presence is no longer with us. We are
used to traditions, norms, routines and formalities. It’s possible to have the
entire meeting without God/Spirit. Like Eli, our eyesight had dimmed so that we
could not see. We can have the form of godliness but deny its power. (2 Ti 3:5)
Now about young Samuel, he had not been introduced to the voice of the
Lord at that time. So when God called him… although he heard a voice calling,
he did not know that it was the voice of God. Like many of us, we hear a lot of
voices. We need to have the Spirit of discernment in order for to know and recognize when God is talking to us. Moreover, we need to be able to recognize the voice of the enemy. You know, the
Mind is the battle field. This is where we win most battles and loose others.
The bible says we need to take
every thought captive in order to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:6). I pray that God may
open the eyes of our hearts so we can see him, recognize him and commune with
him.
Eli had let his
sons run his daily duties as the priest. But the bible says they were corrupt
and vile, they cheat people and did not respect the rules of the temple. He did
not correct them even though he knew what they were doing. The bible says God
will judge his house, and his house sin will not be purged by sacrifices
forever. Before Christ, people relied on the blood of bulls and lambs for
sanctification. Thus people bringing their sacrifices for the remission of sins
and be sanctified.
God does not delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord. [Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice – 1 Sam 15:22]. Truth is, sin separate us from the Lord. Not
only that, but sin also give the devil a legal right in our lives. We thank God
for His grace in this regard. The Grace of God empowers us to do the will of
the Father. Amen!
Samuel continued
communing with God and dwelt in His presence (God appeared to him in Shiloh).
He became a new prophet and God did not allow his word to fall to the ground.
What a Joy, peace and wonder it is to be in His presence. Like Samuel and
David, I too long to be in the house of the Lord for rest of my days. I want to
lead a meaning full life that is full of grace, compassion for his people. Be
like John, the voice of one shouting in the desert],
Prepare the way of the Lord. Like Solomon full of wisdom and walk in His glory.
