Even though we have seen Eli‘s many failures, he is still able to giveSamuel the correct advice. He advises Samuel of the proper postureto take before the Lord-one of submission and obedience. - P140
When wehear God‘s voice, whether in sermons, personal prayer, or community,
we should drop our excuses, listen carefully, and do as He - P140
Mostimportantly, God‘s call to Samuel reflects what God has done for eachof us who call Him Father. - P140
We did not know Him, and we possessedno inherent ability to call upon Him. But by His grace, He drew nearto us so that we could become His children. - P140
Only God can give us thepower to follow Him! - P140
When God calls Samuel‘s name twice, it is reminiscent of how Hecalled Moses‘s name in the burning bush. - P140
This repetition is a picture ofGod‘s invitation to intimacy in Samuel‘s life-a call He extends to eachof us. - P140
Therefore, as Samuel does here, let us slow down and quiet ourlives so we can hear God‘s voice. - P140
In a world where distractions abound,
we must be intentional in blocking out whatever may prevent us fromhearing God well. - P140
The words Samuel receives are probably not what heexpects, but they are a reminder that God is perfectly pure and holy.
- P140
Similarly, God will sometimes tell us something we may not want tohear. Even then, we must trust that He knows what He is doing andobey. - P140
"Blessed are they who search inward things and study to prepare themselvesmore and more by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly mysteries. Blessedare they who long to have leisure for God, and free themselves from everyhindrance of the world." - Thomas à Kempis - P140
You probably know where I am going with this. Our minds are likehe mug filled with water, and the teabag represents Scripture. - P141
If weonly give ourselves time for one quick dip into the Word, we do notabsorb enough of it and we will not gain much at all. - P141
When we aredistracted during sermons or treat our personal devotions like a check-list item, we will end up unsatisfied. We will miss out on the nourishing, multifaceted flavors of the Bible and wonder why God‘s Word isnot making a difference in our lives.
- P141
Instead, let us take the time to engage deeply with God‘s words. - P141
Let usmeditate upon Scripture, studying the text and asking God to changeus in light of what He is saying. - P141
Just as tea is best enjoyed when theteabag is steeped for the proper amount of time, the more time withspend in God‘s Word, the better we can appreciate its richness andbeauty. - P141
Dear God, I am humbled that You constantly invite me into Your presence sothat I may hear Your voice. However, I admit that I am often distracted and
ill-prepared to listen. - P141
Open my eyes and ears anew so that I may know Youmore and truly follow You. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P141
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