Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Lord Calls

Are We Listening?

 

 

3 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
“Here I am; you called me.”
6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”  
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  1 Samuel 3:1-10  New International Version (NIV)


David said further to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and act. Do not be afraid or dismayed; for the Lord God, my God, is with you.”
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NRSV)
 
 
In March 2011, I was going through a very difficult time. My mother had died of cancer after I had taken care of her for 10 months. My relationship with my husband had deteriorated, and my spiritual life was at a low point.


At that time, my out-of-control emotions made it difficult for me to hear the voice of God. Especially in the midst of chaotic times, it is crucial that we take a moment from our daily schedule to listen to what God has to say. We can become so focused on our problems that we forget God is always speaking to us — to our hearts, to our minds, to our spirits. It is even heartening to know this and to know that what God says is always for our good. We just have to be willing to listen. I always try to be attentive to God’s message filled with the assurances that I will receive help and that I am loved.

Thought for the Day

God is always speaking to us.

Prayer

Compassionate God, bring calm to the chaotic state of our lives so that we can hear you when you speak to us. Amen.
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Prayer focus  -  Persons experiencing a chaotic moment
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