Scripture

When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake!

Observation

Israel is at war with the Philistines. The two armies meet near Ebenezer. The Philistines kill 4000 men. The Israelite army decides to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, believing it will save them from the enemy.

The Ark arrives, and with it, Hophini and Phineas, Eli’s sons. The shouts of joy as so loud that the ground shakes.

The discovery that the Ark is in the Israelite camp provoke the Philistines to fight even harder. This time they kill 30,000 man and capture the Ark. Eli’s sons also die in the battle.

When Eli hears the news that the Ark has been captured, he falls from his chair and breaks his neck.

Application

The Ark of the Covenant was a powerful symbol because God was enthroned between the cherubim on top of it.

It seems that the Israelite army put their trust in the Ark rather than in the Lord himself. This is a constant danger. We have the capacity to make idols out of almost anything. The worldly traps are obvious – gold, glory, and guys or girls.

But we can make idols at of religious symbols also

* the Bible that makes us feel safe

* the only true translation of the Bible

* the church that thinks adopting a Hillsong style will save them

* the pews that may never be moved

When we put our trust in anything other than God, we are worshipping idols. That is very dangerous Territory indeed.

Prayer

Father, please help me to see the idols that stop me from worshipping you. Grant me a heart for pure worship. Amen.

Scripture

the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly, the lord called out “Samuel!”

Observation

Samuel continues to serve the Lord by assisting Eli at the Tabernacle. Words from the Lord and visions were uncommon at that time.

Samuel is asleep in the Tabernacle when he hears a voice calling his name. Thinking it is Eli, he runs off to him. But Eli says it was not he who called. This happens three times, and by then Eli realises it is the Lord. He tells Samuel to say, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

The Lord then speaks to Samuel and tells him that judgement will come on Eli and his sons, and nothing will deter the lord in this.

The next morning, Eli ask Samuel what the Lord had said to him. Samuel tells him, and Eli accepts this word from the Lord.

As Samuel grows up, he is recognised all through the land as a prophet of the Lord.

Application

Samuel was positioned to hear the word of the Lord. He slept in the Tabernacle, near the Ark of God. He was near the epicentre of God’s presence on the earth.

To hear the voice of the Lord, I need to position myself to receive from Him. I need to take time to be quiet and hear God’s voice. I need to learn to tune my spirit into the frequencies of the Holy Spirit. I need to learn to live free from sin.

God does not need me to follow a protocol or a process for hearing His voice in order to speak. But I need to quieten my heart in order to listen.

Samuel needed to learn to tune in to the Spirit of the Lord. At first he could not distinguish between God and man. Over time, he became famous as a prophet in Israel.

How much more should we expect to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you are continually speaking your word to us. Please help me to listen constantly for your still small voice. Amen.