Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Hearing God’s voice in the tender years

Bible Reading: :  1 Samuel 3:1-12

Key verse:  

“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.  The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”  Then Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 
(1 Samuel 3:9-10)

DEVOTION

Samuel’s calling as a young boy while serving in the temple under Eli the priest comes during a period when God’s divine revelations and visions were rare.  Sameul had not yet known how to recognize God was calling him.  Eli a guiding factor in Samuel’s life helped perceive it was God’s voice calling to him and teaches him to heed God’s voice.  Guidance from Eli helps Samuel to pay attention and answer God’s calling.  Judgment for Eli and his family is revealed by God to Samuel.  Samuel’s role as a prophet has it’s beginning here.
God often calls us just as he did Samuel.  The calling does not have to happen in a dramatic way.  It very likely will be a small soft voice inside of you and can happen at any time.  The important thing is to discern God’s voice.  We should be willing, responsive and most of all committed to obey.  All of us need spiritual guidance and support to guide us in discerning God’s voice. Eli played a crucial role in this.  God’s timing and purpose are known only to Him; our duty is to listen and obey.
Next Sunday we celebrate “World Sunday School Day”.  Considering this we should ask ourselves some questions.  Are we willing to discipline and train ourselves to hear God’s call?  We live in a world that is now being ruled and controlled by technology where God’s small voice can be drowned.  Are we spending time reading God’s word and listening attentively?  We should be able to say “Speak, for Your servant is listening” no matter what the outcome or even if we do not clearly understand what God’s calling. Like Eli are we good mentors for our young children and youth leading them in the right path? The Lord who created the heavens and the earth knows us inside out and he has a very specific plan for us.  No matter how insignificant you feel God can use us for the glory of his work and kingdom.

PRAYER

God our Heavenly Father help us to be able to discern your voice in the chaos of all that goes on around us and be ready to carry out your instructions in our lives so as to be a light and guide to those around us in need.  In Jesus name we pray.  AMEN.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.” Turkish Proverb

Mary Jacob
St. Thomas MTC, Vancouver, Canada.

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