April 5, 2006 - I Samuel 1-3 and Luke 8:26-56
There are some passages of Scripture that require a lot of interpretation or a lot of thought about the application for our lives. This passage is not one of those. In fact, anyone could read this passage and receive many clear messages from the Lord and understand the applications for his or her life. Therefore, I want to ask you to listen very closely to the Lord as you read. Be ready to write down what He says to you. Then, act on what He has told you.
Chapter 1 shows the power of fervent prayer from a sincere heart. God always answers that kind of prayer according to His will. When is the last time you prayed like Hannah? When is the last time you received a dramatic answer like she did? What did you do, then? Your response showed your faith. It showed if you were willing to trust what God had said to you. Hannah was willing. She gave her son to the Lord, physically and forever. What a wonderful example for us all.
Chapter 2 is a contrast of Hannah's praise for God because of His sovereignty and power with the lack of praise and trust by Eli and his sons. The ones who should have had the highest praise and trust failed miserably. The priests in this case were the problem. instead of the solution. The common person was used by God to provide a new priest, Samuel, since the chosen ones of God had rebelled against His will. That is how God works. He will not bless sin. He will punish it, and He will bring a righteous solution. He will always raise up a righteous priest or leader for His people like He did here. We see it over and over again in the Bible. We must be sure to follow Him completely, or we will be punished and replaced, too.
Chapter 3 is a great story of a young man coming to know the Lord personally. Do you remember the first time Jesus called your name? It was not audible. It was louder than that. It was crystal clear. Maybe it came ringing in the night, as it did to Samuel, or maybe it came in a time of corporate worship, but God spoke right to you personally. What a glorious revelation. Did you accept Him like Samuel? Did you listen and obey? That is what Samuel did. He began a relationship with God that lasted a lifetime, and it issued forth in service to His Lord. That is God's will for every person. However, some people reject God's revelation like Samuel's sons. They did not know the Lord. He revealed Himself to them, but they rejected. He did not force Himself on them. He never does. However, there came a time when God could not give them any more chances to accept Him, because of their sin. He warned Eli that this time was coming, but Eli did not act, so God took him, too. What a contrast between Samuel and Eli's family. I pray that you follow the path of Samuel.
Luke 8 is so wonderful, too. The demoniac, Legion, is set free. He is gloriously changed by the power of God. However, all the people can see is the dead pigs and the loss of money. Therefore, Jesus sent him back home to testify of God's power, so eventually, the people would see past the pigs. A girl is raised from the dead, and a lady is healed because of her actions of faith. God can do anything. He will reward faith. Does that make you want to trust Him for your problems? I don't mean for you to tell Him what to do. The woman did not do that. I mean to trust Him to do the right thing. He always does better than we would do, but we have to have the faith in Him. The ball is in our court. He is ready, willing, and able.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 4-6 and Luke 9:1-17.
Chapter 1 shows the power of fervent prayer from a sincere heart. God always answers that kind of prayer according to His will. When is the last time you prayed like Hannah? When is the last time you received a dramatic answer like she did? What did you do, then? Your response showed your faith. It showed if you were willing to trust what God had said to you. Hannah was willing. She gave her son to the Lord, physically and forever. What a wonderful example for us all.
Chapter 2 is a contrast of Hannah's praise for God because of His sovereignty and power with the lack of praise and trust by Eli and his sons. The ones who should have had the highest praise and trust failed miserably. The priests in this case were the problem. instead of the solution. The common person was used by God to provide a new priest, Samuel, since the chosen ones of God had rebelled against His will. That is how God works. He will not bless sin. He will punish it, and He will bring a righteous solution. He will always raise up a righteous priest or leader for His people like He did here. We see it over and over again in the Bible. We must be sure to follow Him completely, or we will be punished and replaced, too.
Chapter 3 is a great story of a young man coming to know the Lord personally. Do you remember the first time Jesus called your name? It was not audible. It was louder than that. It was crystal clear. Maybe it came ringing in the night, as it did to Samuel, or maybe it came in a time of corporate worship, but God spoke right to you personally. What a glorious revelation. Did you accept Him like Samuel? Did you listen and obey? That is what Samuel did. He began a relationship with God that lasted a lifetime, and it issued forth in service to His Lord. That is God's will for every person. However, some people reject God's revelation like Samuel's sons. They did not know the Lord. He revealed Himself to them, but they rejected. He did not force Himself on them. He never does. However, there came a time when God could not give them any more chances to accept Him, because of their sin. He warned Eli that this time was coming, but Eli did not act, so God took him, too. What a contrast between Samuel and Eli's family. I pray that you follow the path of Samuel.
Luke 8 is so wonderful, too. The demoniac, Legion, is set free. He is gloriously changed by the power of God. However, all the people can see is the dead pigs and the loss of money. Therefore, Jesus sent him back home to testify of God's power, so eventually, the people would see past the pigs. A girl is raised from the dead, and a lady is healed because of her actions of faith. God can do anything. He will reward faith. Does that make you want to trust Him for your problems? I don't mean for you to tell Him what to do. The woman did not do that. I mean to trust Him to do the right thing. He always does better than we would do, but we have to have the faith in Him. The ball is in our court. He is ready, willing, and able.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 4-6 and Luke 9:1-17.