Walking With The Greats - The Life of Samuel

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"...follow the example of those who are going to inherit
God’s promises because of their faith and endurance."
Hebrew 6:12

Today's Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

3 Important Lessons from Life of Samuel

1. Samuel Listened - 1 Samuel 3:8-9

God speaks to you in His timing.  David said in Psalm 63:1 "Early will I seek you...".  It is so important that we seek God before the distractions of the day begin.

There Is a Difference Between Hearing and Listening.  According to Webster's dictionary, 'hearing' is 'the act of perceiving sound'.  It can be conscious or subconscious.  Whereas 'listening' is 'to pay close attention, to give attention with the ear'.  Some people hear but they don't listen.  We need to listen because we desire to understand.  The call is to listen attentively to the voice of the Lord.  When God spoke, Samuel heard Him.  We need to not only to be hearers of the Word but doers also - James 1:22-25.

LIFE LESSON #1: Don’t get so caught up in your thing, that you’re no longer listening to God.

2. Samuel Served - 1 Samuel 3:1

Because your heart is pure in serving, God rewards your actions.  Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli (his Priest, Pastor).  Samuel rose to great places in the kingdom because he served his man of God.  Samuel could have become bitter because he was left to serve in the temple, but he chose to serve with excellence and with the right attitude.  Serving is an action that flows out of humility.  If you have pride, you won't serve with the right motive.  You will look to be noticed for what you did.  The intent will be, 'What can I get from this?'  When you don't get what you expected, you get bitter.

LIFE LESSON #2: Faithful & dependable serving opens the doorway for more.

Eli promoted Samuel to priest of the nation because Samuel was dependable; he  could be counted on.  If you want attention, that becomes the goal and not giving glory to God.  If your heart is right, then in the right season God will bless you.  Faithfulness proves trustworthiness.  It brings confidence.  When you can be counted on to serve, God will open doors of favour in your life.  Serving opens the door for more. vs.15: 'Samuel got up and opened the doors of the tabernacle as usual'.  He didn't start his own church or do his own new thing.  He did what he normally does.  He served as usual knowing that when God is ready, He will promote.

3. Samuel Obeyed - 1 Samuel 3:17-18

Obedience needs to be your standard when it's easy and even when it's difficult.  Samuel's first assignment was to go to Eli and tell him his family was to be cut off from the priesthood.  Because Samuel lived a lifestyle of obedience, he could bring correction that would be received.  Most people who like to tell it like it is, don't like to hear it like it is.  If you don't love the person, don't say a thing.  Correction must be given in sincere love.  The test is this: It will hurt your heart to correct someone if you truly love them.  'I am determined to obey the Lord!'

Don’t give in to sin, God wants you to Win!!

1 Samuel 3:19-20 - Samuel chose to obey and everyone knew by his obedience that he was a prophet of the Lord!

LIFE LESSON #3: Persist in righteousness and you will be blessed! 

Blessed in your family, finances and health!  Be persistent even if it feels like no one else is being persistent.  Romans 14:17-18 teaches us that RIGHTEOUSNESS produces PEACE and Real JOY in the Holy Ghost!  It isn't always easy to obey but when you do you will live in joy and peace.  No righteousness, no peace - No peace, no joy.  In every area of your life where Christ is ruling, you will have peace because Jesus is the Prince of Peace!  Unrighteousness will rob you of that peace.

REMEMBER: How you walk through a storm is a witness to those around you!

CHALLENGE: So much of what we experience day to day is a result of not listening to the voice of the Lord.  It becomes very easy to get distracted when we have not spent time listening to the Lord as He desires to direct us daily.  In Mark 1:35 it says, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."  If Jesus needed to listen to the Lord without distraction, how much more should we establish a protocol for getting to a place where we can listen without distraction to the Lord to receive the direction He has for our life.  If we are going to serve the Lord, it should be in doing what He requested we do.  True obedience is a result of serving as instructed during a time of listening.  Take the time to establish a daily protocol of listening to the Lord - before the distractions start to come.  You will be overwhelmed by the blessing that comes as a result of your obedience to serving God as directed by His Spirit!

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