SAMUEL

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.” (1 Samuel 3:1-18 ESV)

            From Moses are lessons about intercessory prayer, the most unselfish manner of praying.  From Job are lessons about prayer during life’s darker hours, beholding God as sovereign.  From Samuel are lessons about the voice of God, hearing from Him.

            Skepticism has grown exponentially throughout the world, legitimately caused by the fabrication and exaggeration increasingly occurring in the disseminating of news and information through various outlets, network as well as social media. Suspicious feelings can also impact a relationship with God.

            Is a mindset of cynicism choking the voice of God, strangulating genuine dialogue with Him? Some confess sins with a mere hope of being heard and leave their private confessional sensing doubt. Others petition about a need only hoping they are heard, but lacking assurance. Entering discourse with the Lord and ending without hearing His voice is discouraging.

            Prayer is two-way communication. If you know how to listen, God responds through the inner ear of the heart, or by visions and dreams, or through the prophetic, and if necessary in audible ways.

            The call was extended to the church by Jesus to have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. (Revelation 2 and 3) If not achievable, would He make such a request? Anyone sincerely praying should be anticipating a response. Jesus desires to clearly guide, as well as kindly correct, through prayer.

Knowing the Source

            Young Samuel could not know the message until he recognized the Messenger, and neither can you.  The Source is as important as the statement.

            Samuel heard from God, “Samuel, Samuel.” (V.10) Then God heard Samuel recognizing Him as the Source, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (V.10) Having learned to recognize the voice of God and how to communicate back to God, made Samuel ready to fulfill the task designed for him by God.

            Through Samuel’s whole life there was unimpeded communication between himself and God. Samuel spoke and God responded. God spoke and Samuel responded. This level of meaningful conversation can only take place when a person recognizes His voice.

            Someone else was involved in helping Samuel recognize the voice of God. Eli, the leading spokesman for the Lord among the people, gave him clues. Simply stated, ask by faith and wait. (v.9) When Samuel reported to Eli his divine encounter, the priest confirmed the genuineness of the moment. (v.18) A word from the Lord is identifiable to others equally devoted to Him. A person should never conclude that they are the sole measurer of divine truth.

            Where can someone turn today in order to acquire an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church? This zealous aspiration is achieved by Scripture and the Son of God!

            First, the greatest awareness of God’s voice is developed by regularly spending time in God’s Word. The nature of God is clearly disclosed in the Bible. The more you read from the pages of the Book, the more you behold pure reality, the imposters lose the ability to deceive.

            Also, Jesus is the exact representation of God. (Hebrews 1:1-4) Abundantly leaning on Him, learning of Him, and walking in His ways, completes the mosaic as sketched and illustrated in the Covenant writings. The Word became flesh, filling in the blank pages.

Voices

            Several voices are clamoring for the attention of those committed to following Jesus:

            social voices,

            cultural voices,

            patriotic voices,

            political voices,

            radical voices,
            militant voices

            moderate voices,

            courageous voices,

            cowardly voices,

            ethnic voices,

            racial voices,

            liberal voices,

            traditional voices,

            religious voices,

            secular voices,

            tolerant voices,
            combative voices,

            unkind voices,

            progressive voices,

            conservative voices,

            macho voices,

            effeminate voices.

They demand the right to influence a world-defining view, decision-making view, life-shaping view, and course-directing view. The Holy Spirit is a heavenly filter, sifting every opinion and helping you attain the Christ-conforming view.

            Having served in a variety of leadership positions, various pressures were applied in multiple situations to conform to the dictates of many voices. These were not necessarily evil or malicious voices. Most were well-meaning. Some voices had strong convictions about their approach being the most compassionate and fair. Others voices wanted to minimize me placing myself in harm’s way and potentially becoming ill-treated. In each and every occasion came a personal burden to hear the voice of God.

Hear His voice

            First, Samuel heard God’s voice on more than one occasion, and eventually gained an accurate word from the Lord. Multiple encounters will help you know when His voice is speaking to you. Development often requires repetition.

            Secondly, confirmation by those just as devoted to Him helps someone gain more certainty about His voice. Fellow believers play a vital role in the final outcome.

            Samuel is a testimony of someone with a heart to obey, regardless the uncomfortableness of the directions. He was divinely positioned to address corruption, to confront evil, to restore honor, to usher in righteousness, to provide a clear witness of the one True God. One dares not approach such weighty needs without hearing from God and knowing that the voice they hear is His.

            You may not presently have such weighty matters to address, yet knowing and hearing His voice is important to experiencing a triumphant life. God cares, and wants to speak to you.

            Seek His voice above all the other ones clamoring for your attention. Desire to have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying.

JOB

            Last time gave emphasis to Moses. His life of prayer provides clues about intercessory praying. God is looking for followers of Jesus that are willing to stand in the gap for the church. The opposite practice is to grumble. Will you be an intercessor?

            [If everything you read is supposed to make you feel good, you may want to stop reading right now and wait for next week’s reflections.]

            The story about the Biblical character of Job gives attention to unpleasant feelings that prompt prayers. In particular, Job’s unhappy experiences generated complaints to God. What does prayer look like when circumstances defy all rational explanation, or when there are more questions than can ever be answered, or when the answer is not what you want to hear? Moments do occur when you have to live with the worse while hoping for the best, way more times than anyone wishes.

            I am the last remaining member of my family. After deciding to follow Jesus in high school, I hoped to see my family come to an awareness of the Savior from sin. I prayed, lived for Jesus around them, talked to them as opportunities would allow, and invited them to church, yet I never saw a single family member come to Christ before they passed away. I now live with the worst and place all my trust in the Judge who always does right. Thankfully a niece discovered the Truth, the Life and the Way on her own, although experiencing things I wish would never had happened. She is a great wife and mom, has a wonderful family, and cares deeply for others. Her coming to Christ causes me great joy in midst of heartache.

            I have also had a nervous twitch all my life. My sister often wondered about it when I was a little boy, and my wife comments about it from time to time.

            The twitch occurs in mostly my neck but sometimes in my mid-section. In public I can usually control and minimize the distraction, but privately they happen occasionally and last for a several moments.

            What fascinates me is a strange and holy calmness comes upon me when in the midst of a severe crisis or while going through an intense conflict. The more extreme the dilemma, the calmer I become, and the compulsion to twitch does not surface until the situation is over. After the storm passes, however, prolonged neck or stomach spasms often follow, sort of like a relief value discharging pent up pressure.

            I have asked the Lord on numerous occasions to remove this physical disorder, or to show me what bodily exercises or mental training will eliminate them. His loving response to me comes across as, “Live with it! There are worse things the human body can experience than muscle spasms.” Some unknown good reason exists, but I find the malady very trying and also humbling. I am constantly reminded about the infirmity of humanity.

Misery

            Job cried in the midst of a prolonged and debilitating agony, “Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope, that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!” (Job 6:8-9 ESV) Was he actually wanting to die and spend eternity away from God? Talking to the Lord in this manner suggest He was in an extreme state of misery.

            People experiencing anguish lose sight of life. Have you ever wondered if praying for life to end is really that uncommon? If the secrets of the soul were clearly exposed, the percentage of those with similar feelings may well be high. Thankfully, nowhere in Scripture does a single incident occur where God honors such an emotional outcry.

            Some would contend, “Shame on Job for thinking and especially talking to the Lord this way!” But Scripture does not record any condemnatory alarms bells sounding in heaven for stating honest feelings and speaking truthfully. In fact, it appears that expressing his genuine feelings in prayer triggered the divine revelation that brought a completed picture of Glory, leading to his recovery. The last part of Job’s story even reveals emotional frustrations and verbal complaints did not deprive him of future blessings. Does the Lord prefer people to be candidly honest with Him, instead of playing some form of positive thinking game and calling it faith?

            When experiencing trouble, people often develop an inability to discern divine intentions or see beyond the present. God may appear distant. The result is a wrestling match fought in an arena created by the devil, the master of accentuated darkness. There are no flawless feelings or one-size-fits-all approaches to the darker moments of life. People simply hang on to the little they know until God appears.

            The struggle caused within the heart and played out in unpleasant surroundings can bring a person very close to losing complete mental and emotional equilibrium. When inflamed and confused, the human mind can end up yielding to disappointment and despair, and end up thinking in distorted ways. The person cannot see beyond the circumstances yet, fortunately, the brutal condition naturally drives them to search. When there is no extreme pressure, no shining diamonds of priceless value will ever emerge.

What if?

            One very real scenario is especially difficult for most people to wrap their head around and accept; namely, being set free may not be in the divine plan. Even though not fully understood or preferred, a permanent “thorn in the flesh” may be in the providence of God, yet not without benefit. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) Can you grasp the meaning of a Lordship that includes no matter what, and yield to it?

            When in the middle of an unhappy situation, a feeling of assurance evaporates that a loving Lord has designed a good end. A person often loses sight of God as He truly is; sovereign.

            Paul wrote a letter to Timothy when death was eminent. He reveals to his assistant, although he had been spared on numerous occasions, he would not escape death this time. His comments show someone accepting his situation and discovering a different kind of peace. (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18)

            A heavenly harmony is available both by acceptance as well as by deliverance, when someone is fully yielded to the supreme plan of God.

Clues

            The friends of Job could not paint a legitimate portrait of what was happening and neither I, nor anyone else, can create an accurate picture of your troubles. Yet from Job’s complaints and actions come clues that can help while you wait for God to come on the scene.

            First, “What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him, visit him every morning and test him every moment? How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone till I swallow my spit?” (Job 7:17-19 ESV) Even should you feel that you do not want Him nearby, during distressing moments the Lord is intimately close and deeply cares about every detail of life, such as saliva in the mouth.

            Secondly, “Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.’” (Job 40:3-5 ESV) No one can provide a justifiable complaint, or give a self-centered defense, or match wits with God and expect righteous vindication.

            Finally, “Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted … I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore, I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.’” (Job 42:1-2, 5-6 ESV) Answers are discovered by seeing and not just hearing. His presence is the solution. The remedy involves experiencing God, instead of just acquiring more data and facts about your situation.

            Abundant living is about traveling a path with a Person, more than implementing a plan established upon principles. Jesus is the Way. The path is a Person, a journey filled with unknowns, involving much faith and little sight.

One final thought

            Isaac Watts in the classic church hymn “At the Cross” included a phrase that was eventually considered offensive and changed to soften unsettling feelings in the politically correct era: “Alas! And did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die? Would he devote that sacred head, For such a worm as I?” An uncomfortable synonym for many, but Scripture describes godly people as worms, a creature crawling along with a slimy understanding of life. (Isaiah 41:14) The word is even used twice in Job’s story.

            Everyone needs from time to time a good healthy reminder of not being super great. Be prepared to be knocked down a couple of notches occasionally, and while you are at it, avoid mispresenting the Lord by saying something you will regret later.

            When Job saw himself through God’s greatness, his humble confession ended the emotional turmoil played out in his soul. Besides, by having a more accurate outlook he ended up in a position to soar to greater heights of divine blessing.

            If feeling like Job, take heart, a pristine peace is close at hand and blessings will undoubtedly follow. Wait for God and do not accept anything less.

MOSES

            For the next few weeks I would like to consider one aspect in the lives of the Biblical characters of Moses, Job, Samuel, David, Solomon and Elijah; not everything about their lives, just a dimension of their prayer life.

            Of all the individuals in Scripture who engaged in prayer, few compare to Moses. He is described as the meekest man to ever live, yet his prayers were hardly mild and timid, and his early years in Egypt were not known for tameness and gentleness. His humility was honed and carved-out as an exile in the wilderness. From the palace to the sheep’s pen, from served to serving, from finery to common, from notoriety to disgrace, is a very humbling experience. (Exodus 3 and 4)

The intercessor

            Prayer and conversing with God became Moses’ purpose after a hallowed encounter at a burning bush. Prayer defined him and established all his activities. Intimate communion with God marked his existence and became his brand.

            The records of Moses during the wilderness wanderings that followed Israel’s deliverance from Egypt carry an overwhelming tone of unselfishness. His sole concern was how the redeemed were living before the Lord. He desired that the people abiding in an intimate relationship with the Redeemer would love Him fully and serve Him abundantly, something they constantly came up short of doing.

            And the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.’” (Exodus 32:7-10 ESV)

            But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. (Exodus 32:11-14 ESV)

            If Moses had not been a faithful intercessor, destruction was looming over his immediate family and all the redeemed.

            Years later Moses reminded the conquering generation of the constant need for intercession, a form of prayer still regularly needed and often for prolonged periods of time. “Remember and do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD. Even at Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, and the LORD was so angry with you that he was ready to destroy you … You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you. So I lay prostrate before the LORD for these forty days and forty nights, because the LORD had said he would destroy you. And I prayed to the LORD, ‘O Lord GOD, do not destroy your people and your heritage, whom you have redeemed through your greatness, whom you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do not regard the stubbornness of this people, or their wickedness or their sin….’” (Deuteronomy 9:7-8, 24-27 ESV)

            The Israelites were in such a stubborn state that justice rightly called for their destruction. Moses understood only one ray of hope existed, grace. Unmerited favor became the foundation of his plea. “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Problems within

            Are God’s people any less stiff-necked? Are their moments when family and friends bow to cravings other than the Lord, causing heavenly disappointment and disgust? There seems to be very little time or distance between crossing a sea and bowing to fads, even today. Someone must intercede. Who will stand in the gap?

            Where are the intercessors today for those leading the church and the church family? Some grumble about the bride of Christ and complain about the problems. How does this accomplish anything productive? There always has been and always will be messes to clean up.

            The church can be very stubborn at times, bent on “my way or the highway.” Anything touched my sinful humanity ends up tainted and flawed. Thus, the constant needed for intercession. The Lord is more than able to correct and reestablish His redeemed people, yet only when stiff-neck and stubborn attitudes are addressed through prayer.

Problems without

            “This is the word of the LORD… Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 ESV) The options are still available. Not by military might or political power but only by the supernatural intervention of the Spirit will the church prevail in the current hostile environment. The call has been extended to the people of God for greater dependence on the Lord.

            Are you confronting the numerous problems experienced today by demanding civil protest and physical conflict, or by thinking referendums can bring a righteous solution? The corrective actions of group domination and majority opinion are the foolish tactics of the masses, not the redeemed. Should the church use a clearly proven inferior approach for addressing the cataclysmic crisis looming over her? There is nothing greater than tapping into the resources of the Heavenly Father, ever.

Problems to the end

            Scripture is very clear. As the end of time approaches, perilous moments will intensify. Who can deny the signs already appearing on the horizon? The issues will not be solved by military intervention, or at elections booths, or in legislative chambers.

            Have you forgotten what American and World History classes taught in high school? Military and political solutions fail to achieve righteous ends, only temporary reprieves and incomplete fixes.
            I once read the following: “The only thing learned from history is that we don’t learn from history.” No doubt this will eventually be the epitaph of the world, but does it have to be for the people of God? My hope is for the church to be smarter than the spirit of the age.

            Instead of embracing a losing strategy, enter into regular intercession and, if need be, prolonged periods of prayer for the bride of Christ? Will you place a prayer hedge around her while she becomes properly adorned for the marriage supper of the Lamb? Will you increase intercession for the wellbeing of the family of God?

Intercession

            Israel in the wilderness demonstrated selfish grumbling, Moses demonstrated unselfish intercession. What is your testimony? Who have you chosen as your role model? Choose wisely!