Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ”
Merciful God, we are living in days when You will be calling Your servants, to deliver Your message. Please grant that when You call us, we will be listening. In the name of Jesus we humbly pray. Amen.
What a lesson to be learned from this story! There is a message to be delivered. Two individuals are in the house of the LORD, the prophet, and a child. But this is no ordinary child, nor is this an ordinary prophet; though in quite opposite ways. The prophet has grown tired of calling sin by its name, and has allowed his sons to cause quite a bit of havoc within the courts of the LORD, by not correcting their bad behavior. The young boy has not yet been introduced to the LORD, but his behavior is wrought with such purity, that of the two, God decides to deliver the message to the child in preference to the prophet. Strangely enough, the prophet Eli is the very person that God has used to prepare the child for the task that he is being called to perform – to become the next prophet of Israel, in place of Eli. What is even more strange, is that Eli does an excellent job of preparing the boy Samuel, even though his boys went astray.
God is no respecter of persons. He can use anyone who has a heart that is willing to listen and obey. Perhaps God is calling You to deliver a message for Him. Perhaps the person who led you to the LORD is not walking as he or she ought. Do not hold that against them. You make sure to listen to the message that the LORD has for you. When He calls you, be sure to answer; and let Him know that you are listening!
NOTE: Remember that until the 16 of June we will be sharing some short devotional thoughts. On June 17 we will resume our regular devotionals. Blessings!