Today’s Devotion
Topic: Prayer Of Desperation
(Self Assessment 173)
Part 8
Background: We are still at Shiloh. For the past seven weeks, we have been discussing everything happening there concerning Eli, his sons, their priestly duties and God’s expectation of them (which they tended to disappoint).
Last week we discovered through the prophesy the man of God brought Eli, how much the Lord disliked the deeds of Eli’s sons and how He was intending to wipe them off from serving before Him. We also discovered that Jehovah was intending to raise another priest to serve in their stead; one who would do that which was in His (Jehovah’s) heart and mind.
But who can that person be? Could that have been Hannah’s little boy Samuel? The one who was born out of desperate prayers? For answers, let’s zoom straight into our Bible studies.
Text: 1 Samuel 3: 1- 10
1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realised that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Amen
Questions:
1. In verse 1:
a) We see Samuel serving under God’s appointed minister Eli though the latter was old and had children who dishonoured the Lord. What can we, from this, say about self-styled and self-acclaimed pastors who refuse to study and serve under some genuine God-ordained senior ministers; but find every reason to set themselves up and start ministering what may not be consistent with our Lord?
b) What does it mean when Bible says “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions”, and why do you think this was so?
2. Read verse 3 again:
a) We know that the statement “the lamp of God had not yet gone out” could be as literal as it means. However what other spiritual essence can we derive from it? In a period when the very leaders at the temple chose to dishonour God, what will be the significance of “the lamp of God (which) was not gone out” yet?
b) Samuel chose to lie where the ark of God was. Is there any significance to this for all who seek to hear the voice of God, especially regarding their lives and calling?
3. Read verses 4-8 again. Why was the Lord calling Samuel and would not go ahead to reveal Himself directly to him, but waited till Samuel could identify His voice and give his full attention and reverence?
4. Kindly read verse 9 again:
a) Eli realised (in the previous verse) that it was the Lord calling Samuel, and he was very sure the Lord would call Samuel again. Why do you think he had such a sure conviction?
b) How significant was Eli in helping Samuel know the voice of God and how to respond to His call? Also, can our spiritual leaders today be that useful to us in that regard?
5. In verse 10 we see Samuel respond as Eli taught him when he heard the Lord’s call a fourth time. The interesting thing, however, is that the Lord called him EXACTLY AS HE HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY. HE MAINTAINED THAT SAME POSITION — HE COULDN’T GO FURTHER TILL SAMUEL COULD IDENTITY WHO IT IS THAT WAS CALLING. Any significance to this?
6. What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
Kindly reply through these same social media platforms (Facebook & WhatsApp). We learn a great deal from the answers you share with us.
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