Wednesday, March 15, 2023

LORD, REVEAL YOUR GLORY!

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 3-4

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The Ark of the Covenant, as depicted in a replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle at Timna Park in Israel. We read today how the sons of Eli carried the Ark into battle where it was captured by Israel’s enemies.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 3:10

Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

 

The first verse of our reading is a sad commentary on the spiritual life of Israel. “Rare” and “no widespread revelation” says it all. But God spoke to Samuel and Eli was knowledgeable enough to recognize that God wanted someone to listen to Him. God is a communicating God, but are we listening? It’s hard to hear that “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life. This is one of the main reasons why getting up early each day to wait on God is so very important.

God cut Eli’s family off from His blessing because, as our reading informs us, Eli did not restrain his sons from their vile behaviour. This resulted in the tragic capture of the Ark by the enemies of Israel, the death of Eli’s sons, and Eli himself. Most tragic of all was the name of Eli’s grandson, “Ichabod,” meaning that the glory of God had departed from Israel. In our churches, let us reverse the decline and bring God’s glory in Jesus Christ into sharp focus. John said of Jesus, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14b).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I take time right now to spend listening for Your voice. In the quietness of this moment, I wait on You. I meditate on the revelation of Your glory! Hallelujah! Grant that I may help to make that revelation widespread throughout the whole world. Please keep me from being so selfish as to keep that revelation to myself. In Your empowering Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Eli was the ripe old age of 98 when he died. I was thinking of Eli’s passing this past week. If I live as long as Eli, I’ve got 18 years to go. Whatever time I may have left, I want to serve God faithfully. I want to serve you, dear blog readers. I want to serve the leaders of the Crossroads Family of Ministries. I’m absolutely sure that God did not allow me to live this long in order that I may sit around and twiddle my thumbs! At my age Winston Churchill was serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. I’m asking God for wisdom as to what I should spend my remaining days doing!

Yours for the glory of God, even in humour,

David

P.S. I’m thankful that, unlike Eli’s sons, my sons are serving God well. The eldest, David Reynold, is a missionary in Africa, and along with his wife, Kathy, leads a ministry called “World Embrace.” He is our blog photographer.  My youngest son, Ronald Wesley, is now, along with his wife, Ann, leading a marriage and marriage enrichment ministry called “A Better Us.” Ron and Ann work with me daily on this blog.

5 thoughts on “Wednesday, March 15, 2023

  1. Lord God, thank You that You want us to know You, to hear You, to live as children of the Eternal King. Help all Your children live to honour You. Fill us again with Your love and wisdom and joy, with Your Holy Spirit, so we can join with Your other good and faithful servants in sharing the Good News of salvation in Christ our Saviour, in Jesus’ great name, amen

    • Amen Rob. Thank you Reynold and Ron for your part in this blog. Blessings on you and your families and ministries. Amen

  2. Amen Rob!

    The Philistines were “terrified” of the God of Israel recognizing His mighty power and works. May today, unbelievers recognize also that our God is all powerful and is to be revered! May we, His children portray Him as such through our righteous living and our testimony!

    • Amen Luisa, joining you and everyone in prayer.

      These chapters today that we have read seem so sad and discouraging to me, and yet we have hope because Jesus is the Hope of the world.

      As David wrote in today’s blog…”I’m absolutely sure I haven’t lived this long to sit around and twiddle my thumbs”…it makes me realize again we all have a purpose, even in our older age to pray and intercede for our loved ones and our world.

      May God’s will be done, have a great day all.

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