The Word of the Lord was Rare

Good morning friends... ☀️

    Today we’re in 1 Samuel 3 and this chapter is all about hearing the voice of God. It opens with these words "The word of the Lord was rare in those days."

   The people were still practicing their religion. Going through the motions. The Priests were still serving in the temple and the people still offering sacrifices. But spiritually, things had grown dim.And again as I've said alot lately, this feels familiar to the world we live in now.

    There’s a lot of noise in the world right now. Everybody has an opinion. Everybody has a platform. Everybody claiming God said something. But real discernment and genuine listening for the voice of God feels rare right now just as it did then.

   And right in the middle of that spiritually dry season, God calls Samuel.

   Not the corrupt priests but a young boy quietly serving God.

     I love that so much....

Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice at first either. He thought Eli was calling him. Three times he jumps up and runs to Eli before finally realizing it’s the Lord speaking.

    That encouraged me so much because sometimes God is speaking before we fully understand what we’re hearing.

   Have you ever been woken up by the voice of God? I have.

When my oldest son was just a baby, I had fallen asleep and suddenly heard my sister’s voice calling my name. She used to sleepwalk, so I assumed it was her. But when I opened my eyes, my baby was literally in midair falling off the bed, headed straight toward the corner of the nightstand. I grabbed him to my chest so fast. And after I finally caught my breath, I realized my sister wasn’t there at all. I even walked down the hallway to check her room. She was asleep in her bed. It wasn’t her voice that woke me up. I knew with everything in me that God woke me to protect my child.

   Now let me say this too, every voice we hear should be tested against Scripture. God will never contradict His Word. And not every random thought or feeling is automatically God speaking. But God absolutely still leads, warns, convicts, draws, and speaks to His people. And sometimes His voice comes in the quiet moments when we least expect it.

    Samuel’s response was Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. That’s the posture I want to have. Not just talking at God constantly, which I'm capable of doing, but slowing down enough to actually listen.

     Revival isn’t just louder church services. It’s hearts becoming sensitive to the voice of God again. So let's ask ourselves today, When God speaks are we still listening? 

Love Pastor Mandy 

Ark of Hope Ministry 

Daily reading 1 Samuel 3