June 8, 2018 Friday

“Then the LORD said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. “In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. “For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. “And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” So Samuel lay down until morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!” And he answered, “Here I am.” And he said, “What is the word that the LORD spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He said to you.” Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.” So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 3:11-20 NKJV)

            Sometimes when we hear God’s voice and God’s call we wish we wouldn’t have heard. There are times when God reveals to us the suffering of others and reveals the pain and trouble of others. God at times will share with those who do not want to know or do something about the pain of others. God shares with others because they will reach out and help in concern and not enjoy judging others.

            It is almost impossible to fathom what Samuel heard and thought as God shared his plans for Eli’s family. After hearing God’s devastating plan for Eli and his family Samuel did not want to tell anyone, especially Eli. But as it often happens to those who hear God’s call the very person they do not want to tell comes to them.

            After seeing Samuel’s hesitation to share God’s message with him Eli promised to curse Samuel that God would do to Samuel what God was going to do to Eli and his family if he did not share. Often we desire to be nice and not share burdens with people but that will not only destroy them but holds us accountable for their soul through our lack of love.

We are called to be loving rather than nice!

            This is not to say we can save someone or be responsible for someone else’s soul but we can be responsible for our disobedience to God’s call to lead others to God so they can receive salvation.

            Eli’s response to God’s message of judgment is to accept God’s right to do so and an understanding of the sin of his family which brought it about. Both Samuel and Eli respond to God’s call in an amazingly way.

            Do you believe God has called you to share a message with someone?  Will you share the message and how will you share it?  If you are not in a relationship with God where are you?