Faith

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(based on I Samuel 2 & 3 and the parable of the sower, as found in the first part of Matthew chapter 13)

"Where's Hophni?" wondered Eli. "Where's Phineas?"

Obviously cooking up a big batch of mischief at the not-so-okay corral.

His flesh and blood had stuffed their ears with so much hard rock over the years, it was a miracle they hadn't gone completely deaf.

They were gluttons, you see, for everything but God. The hard soil of their hearts left no room for His Word to live and grow.

But Samuel, Eli's adopted son, had a good heart. He protected his seed of faith, keeping the soil of his heart soft and broken. Not hard or full of cares. He protected the seed of God's Word, covering it with plenty of good soil to protect it from birds. The way he nourished and protected the Word was by hearing and obeying it!

"Sam!" called Eli.

"Here I am!"

"Atta boy! I knew I could count on you. I know you're busy with that web game, but this computer program is on the fritz..."

"No problem, Dad, I'm on it."

Is it any wonder Samuel heard God's voice so clearly?

Samuel knew that "lights out" meant time for bed. As soon as it was dark, he lay down to sleep. He never argued. Never demanded a sleepover at his friends' house. Never stayed up late watching television or even reading a book. Simply did as he was told. Even when it seemed like he was "missing out on all the fun." This is called obedience learned through suffering (although it's nothing compared to what Jesus suffered on the cross!)

Year after faithful year Samuel obeyed Eli. Even though it must have gotten tiring at times.

Because he didn't "tune Eli out," Samuel's hearing was in tip-top shape. He knew how to listen. He was dependable.

One night God spoke to Samuel. Never having heard God's voice before, Samuel assumed it was Eli calling him. He immediately rushed to him all out of breath, ready to be of service.

"Here I am!" said Samuel, panting. "You called me."

"No, I didn't," replied Eli. "Lay down in green pastures." (see Psalm 23)

"Huh?"

"That means go to bed."

"Okay."

Samuel lay back down again and perked his ears up. And once again God spoke. Again he ran to Eli. Again Eli told him to lie down. On the third time it finally occurred to Eli that God was calling Samuel. Because Samuel was teachable (and not rebellious) Eli was able to help him discern the difference between his own voice and God's voice.

The interesting thing about God's Word to Samuel is that it wasn't the sort of message to make a person jump for joy. But Samuel delivered it anyway. God rewarded his obedience (and faithfulness) by speaking more messages into his willing ear.

Do you want to hear clearly from God? Then learn to listen and be ready to obey. Even if it's hard. Even if it means that people might not like the message. If you're a writer with a potent message that you know is from the Lord, don't water it down.

Guard the seed of faith like Samuel did. Don't harden your heart. Don't let thorns choke it out. Don't let Satan's birds steal it. Protect the seed and plant it deep. Listen intently to God's voice and heed it.

The Lord never let Samuel's words fall to the ground because He knew He could trust Samuel not to let Him down.

You don't know the day or hour Jesus will return. When He does, will He find you ready and listening? Or have the birds of the air snatched your seed?

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