Did You Get the Message?

1 Samuel 3:11-14

God calls His people to act for Him, represent Him, speak His truth, and serve Him in this world. Samuel would be God’s prophet. That night, God gave Samuel a difficult message: He would carry out His prophesied judgment against Eli’s family. (See 1 Sam. 2:27-36) This did not mean that Eli would be forever condemned; for all those who repent, turning from sin and turning to Christ, are forgiven. But God decreed his family’s privilege of service was gone. Bitter but just punishment had come. I can only imagine Samuel’s dread having to deliver this message to Eli; but Eli insisted. When Samuel lowered the boom, Eli submitted saying “He is the Lord; let Him do what is good in His eyes”. Tragically, God’s almighty justice and power had not motivated Eli to act sooner in just discipline of his evil sons, and now the gavel would fall on him. Yet, Eli possessed a great reverence for God, and submitted wholly to His sovereignty. Now that is a lesson worth learning.

1. In what ways have you seen passivity become a part of family life? What have been the results of not dealing with that lingering issue?

2. How has God been calling you to deliver a hard message in love to someone in your circle of influence? Will you act in obedience or cowardice?

Challenge: Has God challenged you to deeper, purer commitment and true obedience? If so, pray for strength and courageously obey through faith in His promises.