LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:32-34, Well how much more do I need to say?  It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.  By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God has promised them.  They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword.  Their weakness was turned to strength.  They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.  (NLT)

 

Samuel was a prophet; he could also be thought of as the last judge of Israel.  Samuel as a baby had been dedicated to the Lord by his mother.  Growing up under Eli the High Priest, Samuel grew in wisdom, became not only a prophet (God’s calling not his own) but a judge of Israel.  He led the army of Israel to victory against the Philistine army at Mizpah.  As judge, Samuel continued to settle disputes between the people.

 

The people of Israel looked at other nations and desired to have an “earthly king” like them.  This displeased Samuel so he prayed to God to hear His will.  He told Samuel to give the people what they wanted; the people had not turned away from Samuel but had rejected Him as their King.  Samuel anointed Saul as their king which meant Samuel was no longer their judge.  Samuel told the people to get rid of their idols and serve God.  If they chose not to do so, God would deal severely with them.  Over the course of time, both the people and Saul disobeyed God and Saul was rejected.  All this led to Samuel being sent to the house of Jesse to anoint David as king.

 

Because of the example of Samuel’s life, he is found in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  As a judge, he led the people with honesty.  As a prophet, he told the people to remove and destroy their idols.  They were to live their lives in worship of the Lord, God Almighty, serving Him alone.

 

But it was the obedience of Samuel that stands out in his life.  It was his obedience to God that shows how much he loved Him.  It was the way that he was able to live his life in the corrupt world around him without being a part of it.  He stood out as a man of honor.

 

Each of must reflect on our own obedience to God’s Word.  Once again, I think it is important to reflect on our personal walk on the narrow way.  It is certainly a walk of obedience.  How close to the edge do we walk?  Do you try to straddle the edge with one foot on the narrow way and the other in the “world”?  Yes, the challenge can be daily because of the enemy is always trying to get each of us to slip, to sin, to get us off the narrow way.  When you do, repent and get back on the narrow way.  An article from Christianity Today adds that Samuel listened intently to God.  For us, that would mean we diligently study the Bible, God’s written Word to us to live by. 

 

Today, I encourage you to be in His Word daily.  Do not just read it – study it and apply it to your life.  It is a living Word that will give you direction and hope for your life.  My prayer for each of you is to have “a hunger and thirst for His righteousness”.  The promise is that you will be filled and be able to walk on the narrow way in obedience.