Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth

Anybody wonder what I read this morning?
1 Samuel 3 of course
The word of the Lord was precious in those days - the people were in a time when Eli had lost control, Hophni and Phinehas were corrupt and vile (knew not the Lord), the people had been made to transgress (2:24) and so God was not on speaking terms with them. Judgment was imminent and God chose to relay the soon coming recompense unto the lone bright spot in the service of the priesthood - little Samuel - gird with his linen ephod and the coat his momma made him.
The "spiritual" leaders knew not the Lord
The "spiritual" leaders were as carnal, if not more carnal then the rest of the people - breaking God's laws, defiling the temple, threatening the people, corrupting the priesthood, dishonouring their father etc made no difference to them - there was no fear of God before their eyes (Rom 3:18).

Yet in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation there was one that was shining as a light in the dark world (Php 2:15) , and he was but a child.

He knew very little yet. He did not recognize that it was God that was speaking to him. He knew very little - but this he knew - that he was of a godly heritage, that God was greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him (Ps. 89:7). He knew that he was a child brought forth by God in miraculous fashion as the result of heartfelt, broken, cries to God by Hannah. He knew that he was dedicated to the service of God and that this was serious business.

So God called and he obeyed in the way that he knew how - by assuming it was Eli. Then again, then again - until Eli recognized what was happening. He had to learn how to recognize God's speaking, did we not also need this lesson?

So we say this morning, speak Lord, for thy servant heareth - there is much we dont know - like how to go out or come in (1 Kings 3:7) - like how God thinks or about his wondrous ways (Isa. 55) - and if we think that we know anything, we know nothing yet as we ought to know (1 Cor. 8:2). But this we do know, that God has put us in a position to recieve His word, His direction, His instruction - and the message that He gives - we must faithfully apply and then give to the rest of the world. This we do know that He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Php 1:6).

The wonderful thing about our message is that beyond the imminent judgment, there is a way of escape and forgiveness. Samuel had no such hope to offer to Eli, I sure am grateful for the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Let us then be children - sanctified and listening - who knows if perhaps he will use us to call down thunder from heaven to drive away the enemies or to prove a point of God (1 Sam 7+12 respectively).

Speak, Lord!