LET MY WORDS BE FEW

Read 1 Samuel 1-3 this morning.
I was greatly encouraged
1.  That Hannah dedicated her son to the Lord to live in His house forever as God’s servant and she made this decision before he was even conceived.  She “lent him to the Lord” for as long as he should live.  It was a sacrifice pleasing to the LORD.
2.  That Samuel was raised in the House of the Lord by Eli, who was Aaron’s grandson, and yet, was not brought up to truly know the Lord! 1 Sam 3:7.  A person can be in the house of the Lord daily and under the care of God’s priest and still not know God.  Eli’s two sons were themselves blasphemous men who did not know God even though they served in the House of the Lord.  Being in God’s house and serving Him does not equal knowing God!
3.  It takes a revelation and a calling from God to truly know Him.  God is the one who raises us, and our children up, to know Him.  It is God who calls our name and anoints us to follow Him.  God told Eli: “I will raise up for Myself, a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in MY heart and in My mind, and I will build him a sure house and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.”
4. 1 Sam 3:19 “and Samuel grew and the LORD was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground”.  For when the LORD spoke to Samuel in Shiloh, “Samuel, Samuel!”, Samuel’s response was, “Speak, for Thy servant hears”! (1 Sam 3:10).

My application: I, who have the privilege of the Holy Spirit within me (The temple of the LORD), should be as Samuel, ever alert to the voice of the LORD who is speaking.  I am His servant and also His friend, if I do all he commands me to do. Every morning, every evening and during the night watches, LORD train my ears to be attentive to your voice.  Make me keenly aware of your instructions.  Cause me to run to obey You and may the fear of man not hinder me from carrying out Your will. LORD, thank you for the great privilege of carrying Your Presence within me.  May I be a priest who keeps your fire burning without going out.  May I be a Wise Virgin whose lamp is constantly full of oil - at all times - and my intercession never cease.  I pray that the doors to Your temple are free of participating with any “prostitutes” (1 Sam 2:22) and any vile thing that would love to lead me astray from my First Love and corrupt your name I bear.  By Your grace, I take every thought captive to do Your will.  May my thoughts be Your thoughts and my will be Your will in Jesus name.