Seeds for 08/01/2024 - Yield - 1 Samuel 3:8-10
In this series on prayer and scripture, we are following the acronym P.R.A.Y. as a guide for prayer. We are considering scriptures throughout the Bible on each theme. My prayer is that studying scriptures on these themes will give us biblical words to use as our own and simple insights for our praying.
Scripture:
8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
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.”
Observation:
The calling of Samuel is a beloved story of discovery and response. In it, the young boy Samuel is ministering before the Lord as an assistant to the priest Eli. Here are my observations in the context of yielding to the Lord.
First, because Samuel did not realize that God was calling him, he confused God’s voice with the voice of Eli. Once Eli realized what was happening, he was able to help Samuel recognize that it was God who was speaking. When Samuel was unable to recognize God’s voice, Eli was able to help him.
Second, Eli not only helped Samuel discern that the Lord was speaking to him, he coached him on how to respond. He gave him the words: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” In doing so, Eli equipped Samuel to welcome God’s word to him. Eli equipped Samuel to posture himself before God as one who was listening in order to go forth from the encounter to be an obedient servant.
Sometimes mentors and peers can help us discern God’s voice and help us respond faithfully. Of course, we may be able to do that for others too. Discernment need not be a solo enterprise. It can be one of the gifts of Christian community one to another.
Application:
Have you had someone help you discern how to listen and respond to God? Who and when?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, put people in my life who can help me hear you and respond faithfully. Use me likewise. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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