for Saturday, 17 March 2018 - 1 Samuel 2:12-21
- 1 Samuel 2:12 ‘Eli’s sons were scoundrels who had no regard for Adonai. 13 The rule these cohanim followed in dealing with the people was that when anyone offered a sacrifice, the cohen’s servant would come, while the meat was stewing, with a three-pronged fork in his hand. 14 He would stick it in the pan, kettle, caldron or pot; and the cohen would take for himself whatever the fork brought up. This is how they dealt with all the people of Isra’el who came there to Shiloh. 15 The cohen’s servant would actually come before the fat had burned to smoke and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the cohen meat he can roast; because he doesn’t want your meat stewed, but raw.” 16 If the man answered, “First let the fat burn to smoke, then take as much as you want,” he would say, “No, give it to me now, or I’ll take it by force.” 17 The sin of these young men was very serious in Adonai’s view, because they treated offerings made to Adonai with contempt.18 But Sh’mu’el ministered in the presence of Adonai, wearing a linen ritual vest even though he was only a child. 19 Each year his mother would make him a little coat and bring it when she came up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 ‘Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May Adonai give you children from this woman because of the boy you have loaned to Adonai”; then they would go home. 21 So Adonai took notice of Hannah, and she conceived and bore three more sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Sh’mu’el grew in the presence of Adonai.
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The opening phrase of this Scripture says, “Eli’s sons were scoundrels” (v. 12). Scripture is very clear that these boys were evil. In contrast Samuel, who at this stage, hadn’t even truly encountered God.
Spiritual growth is generally the desire of many Christian’s hearts, and we often talk about being a “baby Christian” or a “mature Christian.” It is impossible to transition from that baby to a mature Christian unless we are found in the presence of our Lord, like Samuel. That includes being found in church, like Samuel, but church and God are not mutually exclusive.
It is easy to blame the busy pace of life or technology for our disconnect from God and his presence. However, could it be simply a complete lack of discipline? Hannah physically gave Samuel to the Lord—a real sacrifice. Samuel chose to continue to live in the presence of the Lord in the Temple. What are we intentionally choosing to do to ensure that we can spiritually grow up in the presence of the Lord?
Hymn for today: "Higher Ground" by Johnson Oatman, Jr.
1. I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2. My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
Refrain: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
3. I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
Refrain: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
4. I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
Refrain: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
Thought for Today: Here is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the kapparah for our sins.(1 John 4:10).
Please pray: That many people in Japan will come to know Yeshua as their Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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