Person: Samuel
Reading: 1 Sam. 3:1-18
Symbols: lamp, temple
Can you imagine what it would be like to hear God calling your name? I would probably respond just as Samuel did and assume that it was the person in the next room. How interesting that God didn’t not reveal himself to Samuel, but allowed him to wake Eli three times. It was only after Eli told Samuel that it was the LORD speaking to him that the LORD actually gave Samuel the revelation. This makes me wonder what I’ve missed. If someone had told me to listen for God, would my ears be more tuned to the heavenly frequency? Have I surrounded myself with people who will recognize when God is working on my life and tell me to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!” A better question is, Am I the type of friend who encourages others to listen for God?
Hmm...
The second part of this reading is a real hum-dinger. Eli, who served God so well, failed to correct his sons’ behaviors. God saw that and punished them severely. Imagine this in earthly terms:
Your son robs a bank, a crime you knew he was going to do, but did nothing to stop him because you figure, “Well, he’s all grown up and he makes his own choices.”
Your son is caught by the police.
Your son is incarcerated for his crime.
As his parent, you are also fined a huge penalty; a fee you will pay every month for the rest of your days.
Nothing you do will ever be enough to rid yourself of the actions of your son.
Eli accepted the Lord’s punishment, knowing that God was just. I praise God that my crimes are not forever held against me, that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross paid for my sins. It’s still true that nothing I do can be a full retribution for my sins, but if I believe in Jesus and follow his teachings, I have a full pardon.
Two valuable lessons in one day. Thank goodness it’s Friday!
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