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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 12, 2006 |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday, January 12, 2006 by Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
This is one of the most wonderful stories in the Bible. Similar to Elizabeth in the New Testament, Hannah was a woman who overcame great odds to become pregnant. She prayed to God and she prayed to God and eventually gave birth to a child named Samuel. She was so overcome with joy that she “gave him to the Lord.” Thus, Samuel lived in with an elder gentleman named Eli- a minister of the temple. Eli took Samuel under his wing.
One night, the young Samuel lay asleep and he heard a voice cry out, “Samuel, Samuel.” He got up and ran to Eli. “What’s up? he asked. (my paraphrase)
Eli said, “Nothing. I didn’t call. Go back to bed.
Same thing happened a second time. Voice heard. Samuel got up and ran to Eli. Same response. “Didn’t call you. Go back to bed.
Same thing happened a third time. Finally, Eli had an aha moment. He recognized that God must be calling Samuel and thus he told him, “next time you hear the voice, answer ‘speak Lord, your servant is listening’.” The voice came. Samuel responded as he’d been instructed and thus began a “walk with God” that changed his life.
I love that story for it reminds me that God is always trying to reach out and speak to us and on many occasions we will miss it. People like Eli remind us to always be ready to listen- for God will come calling us.
I sometimes wonder how many times I miss out on hearing God speak in the course of my daily life. More and more, you and I need to wake up and say, “speak Lord. I’m trying to listen.”
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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