Here I Am

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd August 15, 2020 - Filed in Devotional - 4,983 views
  The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. The word of Yahweh was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision. It happened at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see), and the lamp of God hadn't yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down to sleep, in the temple of Yahweh, where the ark of God was; that Yahweh called Samuel; and he said, Here am I.' 1 Samuel 3:1 WEB
  
  The flickering of the lamp still lit the room where young Samuel was sleeping. He was now about twelve years old and was serving at the temple. That was the night the Lord began to speak to him. He called to Samuel, and Samuel thought it was the high priest Eli calling him, so he ran to his room. After this happened three times, Eli perceived the Lord was trying to speak to Samuel, so he told him to go lie down and if the Lord called to him again to say 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'
  
  It is interesting that the high priest of Israel was sleeping just a few doors down, but the Lord chose to speak to young Samuel instead. When we want something done, we like to speak to those at the top. God will often go the other way, and start at the bottom. When the 'leaders' no longer listen, He will speak to someone else. It is not your position in the church that determines if the Lord will speak to you. If that were the case, then the Lord would have spoken to the high priest Eli that night, instead of Samuel the little servant boy. God looks at the heart, the inner person (1Samuel 16:7).
  
  I once heard a preacher say that God will never speak to you about those 'in authority' over you, and reminded us that God killed those who spoke against Moses. The preacher was simply trying to stop gossip about the leadership of the local church, but that is not a sound biblical teaching. It is a delusion to think that God is your pet, and that He will only speak to who you permit. God speaks to whoever He wants to without getting our permission. He has always done so, and He always will.
  
  While the preacher was telling us this, Samuel immediately came to my mind, then David, and then Amos, and then Jeremiah. The list goes on and on. That night the Lord told Samuel what He planned to do to the high priest Eli and his family, and it wasn't good, well for them. Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul (1 Samuel 18:12). Amos was a shepherd and took care of fig trees when God told him to go prophesy to the high priest Amaziah (Amos 7:14). Jeremiah was just a youth when the Lord began to speak to him, and he sent him to prophesy to kings (Jeremiah 1:6).
  
  Will the Lord speak to you today? Absolutely, He told us: 'My sheep hear My voice' (John 10:27). Remember that God will never contradict scripture, but He will correct our understanding of it. He will also confirm His word in multiple ways so you know that it is Him. Let us be like Samuel, speak Lord, for your servant is listening.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father I am listening today. Please speak to me in a way that I understand and confirm Your word to me. I want to walk closer with You, to know You and Your ways better. Break me out of whatever is holding me back. Here I am Lord, use me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen!
  
  Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network
  
  
  

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