Day 29

I Samuel 1-3

SPIRITUAL DROUGHT

The word of the Lord was rare in those days – I Sam. 3:1

            There have been times in salvation history when an awakening was the only hope.  If God hadn’t sent revival the faith would have disappeared.  The period of Judges was one of those times.  God sent revival through a solitary individual.  Samuel was the last of the judges and the first of the prophets.  The Word of God was rare until he came along.  After 450 years of decline no one was practicing the Word, because no one was preaching it.

            Samuel changed that.  From the time he was taken to the Tabernacle by his parents as a child, he thirsted for God.  God began to speak to him as a very young man.  When he understood the voice was from God, his reply was Speak. LORD, for your servant hears.  As God continued to speak and Samuel continued to hear, the Bible says Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him (3:19). God did not reveal Himself to others, because they didn’t have an ear to hear.  God speaks to those who hear.  From the time Samuel launched his ministry, none of his words (fell) to the ground (3:19).  That’s how the people knew he was a prophet.  His life was true; his words were true.

            God does not continue to give his words to people who won’t hear it.  When hearts are so hardened that truth can’t take root God does not waste His time.  He doesn’t cast pearls before swine.  All it takes is one person to take God seriously, and God will put his Word into that person.  Every revival in history began with one or a few who were willing to listen.  When that happens, the Word of God is precious.  People hear, and people fear.

            My greatest concern for the Body of Christ is a noticeable disinterest in the Word of God.  That doesn’t mean people aren’t attending church.  More people than ever are attending church, and with a few exceptions, the church in the United States is as ineffective as ever.  My hope is that out of sheer malnutrition the church of God will once again hunger for God’s Word.  I don’t want to live in a day when the word of the Lord is rare.  I would love to see young and old to change plans to spread the Word of God.  I’m hoping fathers and mothers will redirect their goals to preach and teach the Book.  I want the Word of God to be abundant.  I want the world to hear.

Servants of God hear God