Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

7 April 2024

Reading From I Samuel 1-3

“A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”

–I Samuel 3:8-14

     The story of how Samuel came into the world and Eli’s early mentorship of him as he was growing up in the House of the Lord is fascinating and encouraging on many levels.  In this passage we discover that Almighty God is no respecter of persons; He can and does speak even to children.  I identify with the boy Samuel as I had a similar experience when I was very young. 

     I was out playing in the yard when I heard a voice calling my name.  I rushed inside to ask my Mom what she wanted, but she wasn’t the one who was calling for me.  This happened a few times when the Spirit reminded her of the story of Eli and Samuel.  She gave the same advice to me that Eli gave to Samuel.  A short time later she led me to receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  God works in marvelous and mysterious ways and I am grateful that He is still speaking and working today.

     The message that the Lord of Hosts spoke to the young man Samuel was one of rebuke for his mentor and his sons.  Eli’s sons were corrupt priests and Eli had done nothing to stop them in their wickedness.  There are times even today when messages from God are convicting.  Yahweh doesn’t always tell us what we want to hear, but He will be faithful to tell us what we need to hear.

“Lord, thank You that You are still speaking to Your children in these latter days.  You did not leave us as orphans, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, You are still here with us speaking to us messages of comfort, conviction, wisdom, knowledge and direction.  Thank You for guiding us.  May we listen for Your voice and obey faithfully.  Amen.”

For God speaks in one way and in two, though man does not perceive it.  –Job 33:14

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  –II Peter 1:21

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  –Romans 10:17

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.  –Hebrews 1:1-2

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.  –Romans 8:9

And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

–Acts 2:17-18