Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Silence in a Spiritually Barren Time 

Bible Reading: : 1 Samuel 3: 1 - 10 

Key Verse:  10

V. 10  “Speak, for your servant is listening” 

DEVOTION

This passage highlights the importance of fostering a willing obedient heart to discern God’s voice in a noisy world, where our lives are caught up in our race to material success, in our daily struggles to raise our children and to keep abreast of the times. The call to Samuel came at a me when the word of God was rare and there were not many visions, a time  of spiritual barrenness and corruption, and the failed leadership of Eli. During this period, direct communication  from God was infrequent due to Israel’s disobedience, yet God was actively preparing Samuel to bring light to that dark period. God often  speaks in unexpected or quiet ways, even when the world seems silent or dark. We often  go through phases in our lives when we feel that God’s presence is absent or distant, especially in these days of political chaos, war and destruction. Yet, God is persistently calling; He called Samuel by name four times until he answered.  We must learn to hear God’s voice clearly and to do that we have to know God intimately, so that we may recognize His voice in this noisy world. Samuel initially  mistakes God’s voice for Eli’s, as at that time Samuel did not yet know God. This illustrates the need for spiritual mentorship to be able to recognize when God is calling us.  Eli, though old and dim, was still  in service to God and was able to provide the necessary mentorship. This shows the importance of a church community or spiritual mentors to help us hear and understand God’s calling. God called Samuel while he was sleeping near the Ark of the Covenant, showing that God initiates relationships with people where they are. This also means that familiarity with religious service is not the same as knowing God personally. Samuel’s response to God’s calling was total obedient availability to God’s plan. God is still  calling but we often  miss His calling due to laziness, pride or busyness. This story urges us to leave behind complacency and actively  cultivate space for God's voice and to walk with God, which signifies an intimate, relational  and daily companionship. As with Samuel, one is never too young or too old to hear the voice of God. God chooses the unlikely, or unexpected people to lead. Samuel’s response was the beginning of his prophetic ministry and the end of Eli’s leadership. In a loud world we must find moments of silence to hear God’s voice, and be willing to act on what God asks us to do, even if it is difficult or surprising. 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord God, help to build a personal relationship with you so that we can hear and recognize your voice amidst the hustle and bustle of our busy lives and help us to say “speak Lord, for your servant is listening”.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY


 God speaks but does that mean that we are always able to hear or perhaps always willing to hear and obey God’s word? In the midst of our hectic  lives, are we able to hear the  still , small voice of God? 


Sosamma Vadakethu St. Mathew’s Mar Thoma Church, Toronto

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