Wednesday 30 Oct 2013

Wednesday Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 3:10
10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

Devotion:
There are some that will tell you that you will know exactly when God is talking to you; to them I would like to remind them of this passage. Samuel was dedicated at an early age but it took him a while before he recognised when God was talking to him and not man. It took another learned friend to point out that it was God speaking to him and not any man. Yes we will know it eventually because God will continue until it gets through to us, but it may not be immediately apparent!

I have learned to wait with great patience before rushing off and doing anything when God is concerned. I have seen the impatience of man and have even been caught up in it myself; but I have also learned to wait on God for His final say on the matter. I certainly do not expect everyone to understand the decision that I make and I do not pretend to think that I can go forward without making any mistakes – but by trusting God I will be able to make better informed decisions in my life.

It would be so much easier if God would ring the doorbell and come and tell me verbally what I should be doing in my life but that would not build up my faith and trust in Him. I would simply do what was being told of me and not thinking about it deep in my heart before going forward. Some may say that I tend to spend too much time thinking about things and not enough time doing them; well, each to their own. I would rather be like Samuel and make a few human mistakes before getting it right with God by listening!

When we are able to walk a close and dear walk with Christ, we should then be more like Eli and more willing to teach others about our walk and about how them too must have patience and seek God always. As servants of God we must not get upset if God chooses to use someone else instead of us; we must be the ones willing to sacrifice our pride and show humility that others can learn from!

Points to Ponder:
Do you always listen to others?

Do you find it hard listening to God?