Monday, March 21, 2016

1 Samuel: Lent By God

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date
: Monday, March 21, 2016
Chapters: 1 Samuel 1-3
Message: 1 Samuel: Lent By God

Hello My Friend,

`The Book of 1 Samuel is the ninth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-one chapters. The author of the book is Samuel and it was written to Israel. The book records the history of three people, Samuel, the last judge of Israel, Saul, the first king, and David, who succeeds Saul as king. The timeline for these events took place approximately 1171 BC to 1056 BC. The purpose of the book was to continue to record how God dealt with Israel. What we are to learn from the book is the that being obedient to God is better than any sacrifice. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” - 1 Samuel 15:22.

Parent, That which produces. Every parent produces, teaches, protects, and rears their child in hopes that they will grow up succeeding in life. Now, there is a difference between a parent and someone who procreated, not everyone who brings a child into the world is a parent. Just take a look around the world at the youth today and you will see that many have rebelled against their parents or worse were taught from their parents. Eli was was a priest in the temple during the time of judges, he had two sons that he tried to raise up godly, but they rebelled. God was about to use Eli and a woman named Hannah to a judge, priest, and prophet. As Eli sat outside the temple he noticed Hannah staggering about, she was moving her lips, but no words were coming out.

And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” - 1 Samuel 1:14-16,19,20,25-28.

Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD;” Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do as a parent is give up their child, let alone their only child. Hannah kept her promise and set him aside for God, but think about this, all of God's creation are lent by God. Every child born is a gift to be used for God, but in a world full of wickedness, only a few will be given to Him for His use. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:11-14.

It is not the family that we are born into that defines us, but who we get around. We do not know much about Eli, but his wife must not have been much of a godly influence on their children because they had no respect for Eli, or themselves, and even though they were Levites they did not know God. We learn a little about them.

Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.”- 1 Samuel 2:12,17-20,22-24.

they knew not the LORD.” Belial, Satan, the source of all that is evil, worthless, wicked, and unprofitable. While Satan cannot produce life, he can produce evil in every life that God creates. The truth is, Satan cannot make us do anything no more than God can, but he can keep nudging us in the wrong direction if we do not keep a strong hold on God. Our flesh cannot comprehend right from wrong on its own, it must be taught that from birth, and we must remain teachable, anytime we think that we know everything, that is when we will fall. And that is why we need Jesus, without Him we are all sons of Belial. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:10-12,22-24.

The entire time of judges no one knew the Word of God, it was not even present in the temple, which is why they did what was right in their own eyes. If by some chance they believed in God and wanted to follow Him they did what they were taught by their parents or through their own reasoning. God did not waste any time with Samuel, three times He called him, but went to Eli thinking it was him because he never knew God could speak like that.
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” - 1 Samuel 3:4-9.

Speak, LORD;” God revealed Himself to Samuel only when he acknowledged Him, but he also needed a guide to tell him who was talking to him. How often does God reveal something to us through His Word, prayer, a song or even in other people, yet we do not acknowledge Him? How often does God call out to people, yet they ignore Him? How many people do you think end up in hell because they did not acknowledge God's voice to receive His Son? Even when living for God we can be unaware that He is calling us because we simply do not recognize it as Him. We need to pay attention, especially when things do not make sense, and be ready to say, “Here I am.” when He calls. God has much to give and show all of us, if we would just answer Him when He speaks. “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.” - Psalms 20:5,6.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through Samuel who grew in favor with God and man (2:26) When Jesus was a child He grew in favor with God and man also. “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” - Luke 2:40.

Today's Prayer: God, You have so much to show me, teach me, and have great things just waiting for me, but I admit I often get distracted and do not hear You when You are calling me. God, forgive me for being too distracted to notice You, I know You will even help me if I just acknowledge You. Here I am, Lord, help me to pay attention, to see the signs, to listen for Your voice, even when I have a thousand other voices in my head. Help me to have faith that not only moves mountains, but crushes them. Help me to never cease from praying and to always pray believing. Let me not let any person or desire hinder me from hearing You, and give me the wisdom and guidance I need to study Your Word so I know who's true. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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