The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day three) 

“The lamp of God had not yet gone out.”  These words refer to an actual lamp with an actual flame—the lampstand at the curtain on the other side of which sat the ark of the covenant.  It was to be kept burning from evening till morning.  This detail of dimly burning fire serves to mark the time as the wee hours.  But it marks something else, too.  It signals to us that God has not given up on saving the human race.  We know that these words indicate God’s intention because we can look at the entire witness of scripture in a way that the people living it at the moment could not.  In every night dimly-lit, in every church persecuted, in every incident of God’s supposed slowness, there rises the providence of God.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day two) 

And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. vs. 1b

Samuel was a boy whose life had been dedicated before his birth to the service of the Lord, but he was born into a people who were not attuned to the voice of God. Even Eli the priest was unaware of all the movement, or lack of movement by the Lord among the people. It was a time when God was silent. Or was he? Clearly, God keeps his own counsel and know the plans set out before the foundations of the world, but we cannot become dull to his voice. If a word from the Lord is infrequent in our lives that is likely more to do with our own heart condition. When we dull ourselves to the work of the Lord it would appear that he is uninvolved. Nothing could be further from the truth. If we stop hearing from the Lord or sensing his leadership it is time to examine what is hindering us from hearing him clearly. Beyond that how are we teaching our children to discern the voice and leadership of the Lord? He still speaks.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day one) 

“And WORD from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.”–v 1

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”–Matthew 4:4

“Behold a day is coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the WORDS of the Lord.”–Amos 8:11

“I will pour out my Spirit upon all mankind; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy.”–Acts 2:17

As we read 1 Samuel 3 this week, please consider what resource (offered help from God) we are presently living without.  What assistance has He promised that we regard as optional?  Even allowing the high cost that will need to be paid in order to seek His face, what do we stand to gain?

Isn’t a WORD from the Lord what we really need?

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 1 (day seven)

Sometimes we forget.  We are well meaning people who forget when things are well.  In the throes of adversity we offer God more than we have wanting nothing more than to see a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel.  But we so often forget those foxhole vows.  We dust ourselves off and walk away from the pain leaving God in the tunnel.

Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. ³ For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. ⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! ⁵ It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. ⁶ Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. -Ecclesiastes 5:2-7

This wisdom of Ecclesiastes was written for us, it was not written for Hannah.  She was one who made a vow to God and kept it.  As soon as she could, she brought Samuel to the Lord.  Brought him and left him with the priest.  But Hannah didn’t stop there.  She not only brought Samuel to the Lord, she brought flour, wine, and a three-year-old bull.  That may not sound like much on paper, but that was a huge offering.  It was about three times extra.  Why in the world would Hannah bring the incredible offering of her son plus three times the normal elements?  I think God should be happy with my child, but Hannah flooded the altar.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 1 (day five)

Hannah’s faithfulness to pray and her approach to prayer can be helpful to us all.

There is praise in her prayer. She prays to the “Lord of Hosts”. Remember the scene in Luke 1 where the shepherds see and hear the Heavenly Host? (The Angel Armies of the Lord) In 1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah is praising God for His power and authority, the Lord of Hosts.

Hannah’s example is that praising God in prayer is needed and necessary. I sometimes leave that out in my personal prayer time and just share my heart. Big mistake. Praise helps calibrate my heart. Praise helps put me in my place and helps me see God in His proper place. Praise also fills me with awe- to think that I can talk with an all-knowing and all-powerful Father who invites me into relationship and communication with Him.

Try spending as much time and attention in praise as you do other parts of your prayer time. God will use it to help you.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 1 (day four)

It’s called ‘setting the stage’ or ‘giving the backstory’ or ‘introducing the characters’.  Knowing Samuel’s story helps us to understand who he is and why he acts the way he does.  Samuel was not only given to the Lord’s service in the Temple, his parents supported and encouraged his commitment to the Lord all of their days.  Samuel’s dedication to the Lord by his parents led to a life of faithful service all of his days.

We do the same…we have baby or home dedication where we bring our new child before the church to present him to the Lord and to pray for his faithfulness.  It’s a commitment to raise him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Are your children grown?  It is never too late to pray Scripture for your children.  Parents have a special place of prayer for their children.  What a special privilege.  Don’t miss the opportunity and blessing!

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 1 (day two) 

For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. vs. 27

How many of us have this scripture somewhere in our house? Hanging in our kids room perhaps, or in a picture frame on a shelf. Hannah is our clear example of preparing for our children. Not only does she pray for a child, but she commits him to the Lord. What an act of faith! Knowing our children are a blessing is generally accepted, but committing them to the service of the Lord takes a heart that is certain of the Lord’s promises. No matter what we have planned for our kids, the Lord has more. We will spend years training, teaching, encouraging, and correcting them when necessary, but to what end? We are not in this for vocational training. We are stewards of the next line of defense for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be encouraged and courageous. Even if you have no children of your own, you can invest in this journey with others.