LORD, REVEAL YOUR GLORY!
Suggested 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 when this past week Norma-Jean and I received an e-mail from our friend, Jack Price. Jack was brought to Canada from an advertising agency in New York City by the Liberal Party of Canada to “showcase” their new leader, Pierre Trudeau. I got to know Jack some ten years later in 1978. He had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. We prayed together and I found out that Billy Graham had a big impact spiritually in his life. Well, here we are over 30 years later, and again Jack needs our prayers. He is very ill once again. He’s obviously expecting a “recall” from the manufacturer of his body soon. I’ve attached his e-mail below. For the believer, there is no fear in death. Jack and his wife Marie are testimonies to this fact. They can even joke about it.
Yours for the glory of God, even in humour,
David
P.S. Here’s that email from my friend Jack Price…
This was forwarded to me…Be sure to read it. Talk about clever and to the point! Never heard it put quite like this before. – JackRECALL NOTICE:
The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.This defect has been identified as “Sub-sequential Internal Non-morality,” more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. RebellionThe Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self controlPlease see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (BEST Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to
prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!– GOD
P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by ‘Knee mail’!
Because HE Lives!
“This is the tragedy and woe of the hour – that we neglect the most important One who could possibly be in our midst – the Holy Spirit of God. Then, in order to make up for His absence, we have to do something to keep up our own spirits.”
(A.W. Tozer)
As everyday,David, I am so blessed to start my day with 100 Words
and hear your heart speak! Today, the Recall Notice gave an interesting new dimension to consider! Thanks for your continual dedication to starting our day right! May God bless you and Norma Jean in this journey you are on.
Thanks to your sons and the regular bloggers for their wonderful words of wisdom and encouragement they contribute each day.
Jack Price’s e-mail was hilarious to read and TRUE! What a way to see our defect and recall notice,written in today’s terminology! Not a bad vehicle we have for God not to scrap, if it were not for our Lord, Christ Jesus. In today’s reading, it is hard to believe how the Philistines captured the Arc of God against the Israelites. Such a sad and weakened state they had become, regardless of their cheers, which even shook the ground they stood upon. I hope we can defend our spiritual treasures better. Enjoy this day!
Thought provoking – the whole posting today.
What an amazing blog today. We can all learn from it. Thank you David. Also Jack’s email is a reminder to all of us as we are weakened by illness and SIN. Praise God for His mercy and grace. I like the quietness of the morning to get into the blog and the words which sustains me for the day. God bless you and Norma-Jean today and praying for Jack too. This is worth passing on to others.
Like SAmuel we should say “Here I am Lord for your servant hears.”
Thank you David , once again, for your blog. My day begins with it. I also enjoyed your friend’s email. God bless you.
Hi David
Its All in there– I newer hear anything like that before That is letter from God
Thank you and His Blessings to you
Amazing Grace
Zeljko
Amen !! Thank you David you are in my prayers
Lianne Hogg
Hi David, As I read this I weep for the body of Christ. How sad that we do not encounter the glory of our GOD every day. After all, we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, similar to the Ark of the Covenant. May God continue to purify us and refine us and may we set our affections on Him only so that we may have the fullness of Christ dwelling in us and that we may walk in His manifest presence.
Thanks again to you and your family that make this great blog possible and I thank the Lord our God for touching our lives in so many incalculable ways through it.
Your desire to keep a revelation of His Glory in our churches echoes mine. This happens through prayer corporately and individually. God increase our desire. The [poem is unique and humorous. God bless your friend, Jack and the Lord meet his every need today; yours, David and fellow bloggers.
Another wonderful, thought provoking blog David. I enjoyed Jack’s e-mail. Thank you for sharing. May we all hear that still small voice and pay heed to our Maker’s instuctions for operating our ‘units’ and do daily maintenance to keep free from sin and to be uploaded with a fresh new infilling of the Holy Spirit ~ then we will operate as our Maker intended, and be ready for that day of recall.
Hi David, Have a lovely day with Norma Jean. Dear little Samuel! God raised up this little boy to carry a very important message to Eli and used him as his Prophet to Israel. They knew that Samuel had been raised in the House of the Lord with Eli,so it didn’t take much convincing to listen to him and realize the messages had to be from God. What a Plan! God is so merciful, if only the people would have obeyed the ways of our Lord,the outcome would have been so different. So it is today, God is sounding the warning to the whole world, Repent and be Saved, by accepting Jesus as Saviour! In his great Love he has provided the escape route for the coming judgement that is clearly coming soon!
Dear David thank you again for the 100 word blog the reading this morning was eye opening i am learning so much. the attachment you sent us of Jack was so wicked but yet si true, yes our father as a great sense of humour. i will make a point of sharing Jack’s owesome words this morning it left me in stiches but impacted my heart. i will be praying fot both you and Jack God bless you and fellow bloggers have a great week end. P.S. note that my french si means the same as so in Shakespeers language. Ah! Ah!
Love Jack’s advice in his email: “you may contact the Father anytime by ‘knee-mail’!” Thanks for sharing that, with us, David! Definitely something I will remember to pass on, to others. Know that we are praying for you, Jack, David, and Norma Jean Mainse!
I believe we have all become more attentive to listening to the quiet whispering voice of God as He speaks with us in the calm wee hours of the morning, thanks to this blog. Blessings to everyone!