1Samuel Ch.1-10

Samuel is a book of great beginnings and tragic endings. This book records the life of Israel’s last judge Samuel, their first King Saul, and the preparation of David who was Israel’s greatest King. Samuel kept his heart pure for God. This book has a great lesson on waiting. David had to wait years before he was anointed King and realized his promise from God. The difficult circumstances in life and the times of waiting often refine, teach and prepare us for the future responsibilities God has for us. Don’t resend God’s timing, His blessings may not be immediate, but they will come if we are faithful and obedient.

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, was barren and criticized leaving her humiliated and desperate for the Lord’s help. Although we can’t keep others from unjustly criticizing us, we can choose how we will react to their hurtful words. Rather than dwelling on our problems, we can enjoy the loving relationships God has given us and exchange self-pity for hope. She brought her problem honestly before God, and the Lord came upon her and blessed her with a child that was to be given to God for His purpose. Hannah’s prayer, “I delight in your deliverance…there is no Rock like our God.” (1Sam2:2) Prayer opens the way for God to work.
Hannah praised God for being a rock, a firm, strong, and unchanging. How many of us have pondered the only certainty of the world being change? Friends coming and going, and fast-pace life with constant changes of circumstances. Devotion of your life to achievements, causes or possessions have finite and changeable security. The saying that you can’t take it with you couldn’t be more truthful! God is ALWAYS present and He is the same God He was then and will always be. God never fails. He is all-knowing, everywhere at the same time and all-powerful. That is the foundation I can trust with all my heart and understand why nothing in the world lasts forever…it isn’t supposed to. Hannah’s prayer shows us that all we have is on loan from God. She entered motherhood prepared to do what all mothers must do, let go of their children. My dad taught me this concept at a very early age when he gave me his metaphor of sending all his kids to fly. He emphasized doing hard work with your kids when the time for parenting is appropriate and then allowing them to receive all the lessons and fly on their own. I was blessed to have an incredible father the Lord used to relay so many of His messages. God’s mention of important parental guidance is taught through Eli’s shortcomings as a father. Two important qualities for effective parental discipline: firm resolve and corrective action. Children should learn that their parent’s words and actions go together and that love and discipline must be spoken as well as acted out. Parenthood is an awesome responsibility and nothing is more important than molding and shaping our children’s lives.

How easy is it for us to complain about our problems, even to God, while we refuse to act, change and do what he requires? It’s hard for most of us to take the advice He has already given us. Have you felt that God has ever abandoned you? Check to see if there is anything he has already told you to do. You may not receive guidance from God until you have acted on his previous directions.

Every job has dignity. Serving others is serving God, even in ordinary tasks. Listening and responding is vital in a relationship with God. Although God does not always speak through a person, he speaks clearly through his word. Samuel was faithful and was ready to hear God when he said “Here I am…speak, for your servant is listening.” (1Sam3:8) God may also choose unexpected channels. Be ready for the Lord to work at any place, any time and through anyone he chooses.

When you have an important decision to make, weigh the positives and negatives carefully, considering EVERYONE who may be affected by your choice. When you want something bad enough, it is difficult to see the potential problems. It is critical to not discount the negatives. Unless you have a plan for each one, they will cause you great difficulty later. Many times we let the values and actions of others dictate our attitudes and behavior. Have you ever made a wrong choice because you wanted to be liked? Be careful that the values of your friends or “heroes” don’t pull you away from God’s right and wrong. Spiritual disaster results from wanting to be like people who turn their backs to God.

Look at all the good and bad circumstances that have affected you lately…Can you see God’s purpose in them? Ever think He is building a quality in you or leading you to serve him in a new area that never occurred to you?
Samuel anointed Saul as King because God chose Saul for a specific purpose. Although Saul had a mission in life, he struggled with jealousy, insecurity, arrogance, impulsiveness, and deceit. He did not decide to be wholeheartedly committed to God. Because Saul didn’t let God’s love give rest to his heart, he never became God’s man. Saul’s power grew and so did his pride and the Spirit left him. God can choose to give the power of the Holy Spirit to anyone to fulfill His purposes. A prophet is someone who speaks God’s words, but what God wanted most from them is to instruct and inspire people to live in faithfulness to God.
When Saul first knew he was the anointed King, he hid among the baggage. Have you ever hid from important responsibility because you were afraid of failure, afraid of what others will think, or perhaps unsure about how to proceed? Prepare now to step up for your future responsibilities. Count on God’s provision rather than your own feelings of adequacy. As you lead, listen to constructive criticism, but don’t spend valuable time and energy worrying about those who may oppose you. Focus your time on those who are ready and willing to help.