Samuel Hears God. 

1 Samuel 3:1 “And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli.  And the word of the Lord was precious in those days;  there was no open vision.”

Samuel is a young boy…maybe in his teens.   Samuel had been “lent” to the Lord from Hannah, his mother….for the ministry the Lord had showed her.  “…And he worshipped the Lord there.” (1 Samuel 1:28)

He stayed with Eli, and learned God’s word of the law.     He knew the beauty of the Lord’s Tabernacle, and understood the duties Eli performed.

He was Eli’s helper; and when Eli (who was the high priest), went into the Holy Place to maintain the oil in the Lampstand,  which had to be kept filled during the night,…..Samuel went with him.     

Samuel slept by the Lampstand, to notice the lights flickering.

This was a sad time in Israel….the people did not know the Word of the Lord:  their laws and their meaning….it was “precious”…..very rarely talked of in families and among people.

Also there was no “open vision” (Proverbs 29:18)…..the purpose and plan for Israel, under God, was also not universally known….only a few remembered that God was to be their King.

Only a few remembered that they were to be separate tribes,  yet brothers in kindness.   

(I want to mention something here,….about training our children in the Word of God.   

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

“Train” here means to initiate and discipline.    To bring into and teach.

My son had a rebellious time when he was in his teens….not terrible stuff….but he turned away from God, for a while.      He was brought back,  by God speaking to him,  getting his attention concerning his life ahead.   

God’s Word sheds light….and I believe we need to show our children what we think of His Word….how much we believe it….that is an impression they will never get around…though they certainly may try.)

Samuel was not of the priestly family….yet God had seen beforehand the perverseness and rebellion of Eli’s sons…..and provided a substitute, in Samuel, to speak to Israel about God.

But first….Samuel would have to hear, for himself, the Word of the Lord.

God was going to speak to him….and give him a task….would he obey?

1 Samuel 3:2-4 “And it came to pass at that time,  when Eli was laid down in his place,  and his eyes began to wax dim,  that he could not see;  

                         And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord,  where the Ark of God was,  and Samuel was laid down to sleep;  

                         That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered,   Here am I.”

This sounds good….

1 Samuel 3:5 “And he ran unto Eli,  and said,   Here am I;  for thou callest me.  And he said,   I called not,  lie down again,  and he went away and lay down.”

Samuel had not heard the Lord before, and mistakenly thought that Eli had called him….so he ran over to him and asked him what he needed.

Eli,  half asleep, said….”I didn’t call you,  go back to sleep.”

This happened two more times:  “And the Lord called yet again,   Samuel.” (Verse 6)

Now Samuel was hearing…..but not hearing the Lord, yet.   He kept thinking Eli was calling him….and each time,  in diligence,  Samuel went to see what Eli wanted.

Twice Eli, told him to do back to sleep….but the third time:

1 Samuel 3:8-9 “And the Lord called Samuel again the third time;  and he arose and went to Eli,  and said,  Here am I;  for thou didst call me.       

And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

                     Therefore Eli said unto Samuel,  Go, lie down:  and it shall be,  if He call thee,  that thou shalt say,   Speak, Lord;  for Thy servant heareth.    

So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

(I was praying once about “teach all nations/ make disciples” [Matthew 28:18-20].   And the Lord showed me these verses…..Eli pointing Samuel to hear and answer the Lord.   

The Lord showed me……If we can bring those we pray for and teach,  to hear the Lord for themselves….and answer Him with obedience;  we have fulfilled our commission.)

1 Samuel 3:10-11a “And the Lord, came, and stood,  and called as at other times,   Samuel, Samuel.

Then Samuel answered,  Speak; for Thy servant heareth.

                    And the Lord said unto Samuel,…..”

The fourth time, the Lord calls Samuel….this time standing beside the Lampstand….He said “Samuel, Samuel”.

He repeated his name,  for there was an urgency now that Samuel knew it was  the Lord was speaking to him.

Samuel says…..as Eli told him….”Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth”.

And the Lord told Samuel that He was going to do away with the priesthood that was in charge, including Eli….for the sin Eli refused to deal with, in his sons.

It would be a wake-up call to the nation, now…….but, later, He would make an end to the judgement on the priesthood……”when I begin, I will also make an end.”

In the interim,  Samuel would minister to the nation,  turning them back to know God, and His claims upon them…for each other; and other nations.

In the morning, after hearing this….Samuel got up and went about his chores;  opening the doors;  but he said nothing to Eli.

Eli sees Samuel’s quietness, tells him,……to speak plainly to him:

1 Samuel 3:18 “And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.  And he (Eli) said,   It is the Lord:  let Him do what seemeth Him good.”

And Samuel told him everything that the Lord had said.   He loved Eli,  but spoke God’s Word,….faithfully.

(Eli submitted to the Lord’s Word, through Samuel.

Actually, Eli had been a good man,….but a bad father to his son’s.   He had tried to correct them,….slightly.     But as the high priest,  he should have taken  them out of the priesthood, for their sin against the nation.

And for their trespass against the Lord, ….they should have been stoned. 1Samuel 2:17, 24-25; Leviticus 24:16)

Samuel’s faithfulness was blessed.

1 Samuel 3:19, 21 “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him,  and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

                      And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh:  for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of the Lord.”

The Lord again was speaking to the nation,….through Samuel.   He was telling them what God wanted of them, as His people.   (How important for us, as Christians, to keep in constant touch with the Lord,   and His will for now.)

We, too, can hear the Lord calling and speaking to us….sometimes through others, and sometimes personally through His Word to us.

This is what He wants for us…..to hear Him, and know His Will, Word, and the way we should go.    It is always personal….the Lord knew Samuel’s name….He knows ours, as well..

John 10:3 “To Him the porter openeth;    and the sheep hear His Voice;    and He calleth His own sheep by name,  and leadeth them out.”

When we hear Him,  we should say:   “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth”…….and then be faithful to what He has said to us.

 

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice 

Psalm 27:7 “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice:  have mercy also upon me, and answer me.”

Psalm 20:9 “Save, Lord:  let the King hear us when we call.”

One of our great blessings, as Christians, is that God hears our prayers, and answers them.

1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in Him,  that,  if we ask anything according to His Will,  He heareth us.

                 And if we know that He hear us,  whatsoever we ask,  we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”

They may be short like Peter walking on the sea:  “Lord, save me”(Matthew 14:28-30).

And he was,  for Jesus, Who was walking on the water as well, reached out and took hold on Peter, lifting him into the ship.

Or they may be long petitions, laying out our troubles before Him (Psalm 142:1-2).

Psalm 86:7 “In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me.”

(Three amazing prayers are in the ninth chapters of Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

Long confessions of sin and departure from God….and praise for His great mercies to His people…for He never forsakes them.)

True prayer is finding out what God wants us to pray,  and then praying in accordance with His Will…..for ourselves and others.   Lifting up to Him,  His Will;  by our will and words.

Psalm 27:8 “When Thou saidst,  Seek ye my face;    my heart said unto Thee,   Thy face, Lord, will I seek.”

During the ministry of Isaiah,  the Lord corrected His people….when after giving a wonderful promise to them,  they did not ask Him to do it:

(The promise: “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean…..a new heart also will I give you….and I will put my Spirit within you,…” Isaiah 36:25-27)

Isaiah 36:37 “Thus saith the Lord God;  I will yet  for this   be inquired of  by the house of Israel,  to do it for them;…”

They did not ask for what He promised them.

Do we take for granted His promises, and not ask, for what He wants to give…seeking how He wants to give it?

Sometimes the Lord asks us what we want:

David, after his sin in numbering the people,  was given a choice as to the correction he was to receive,……..and his answer was:  

“let us now fall into the hand of the Lord; for His mercies are great:….” (2 Samuel 24:12-14)

And I ask all who know the Lord Jesus……..where else can we feel safe….but in His hand……..even, when we are being corrected?

One of the things the Lord requires, when we pray…..is to listen for His answer.

Isaiah 55:3 “Incline your ear, and come unto Me:  hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you,  even the sure mercies of David.”

        These mercies are never taken away…God would correct, but never did His mercy leave.

Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,  This is the way, walk ye in it,  when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

One of the great parables Jesus told about prayer is:

Luke 18:10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray;  the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”

I want to mention here, that both men went to the right place,  to do the right thing:    To pray to God,….both of them.

When men would go into the temple,  they would look toward the mercy seat.   It was hidden, in the Holy of Holies;  behind the first curtain, the Holy Place (where only the priests ministered), and a second curtain.   

It was where the blood of the sin offering was poured out for the sins of the nation.   And to this mercy seat,  all were to look, to pray. (Exodus 25:21-22)

The Lord tells of the Pharisee’s prayer first:

Luke 18:11-12 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,  God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners,  unjust,  adulterers, or even as this publican.

              I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”

This man begins with praise to God…..but it is for himself, being so much better than so many others.

He was not a gross sinner,  and he thanks God for that….and goes on to tell God:  that he was a good man….and talks about what he has given God!

Certain that God appreciated him,….and his good works.

“…for out of the abundance of the heart  his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45)

This man’s heart was full of himself…..so the words spoken praised God,…..

…yet his heart came out….and showed that the only thing he was praising was himself.

When what God wants is for us to come in honesty….and the first thing that man should have said was:  “forgive my pride….and show me myself….that I may praise you abundantly for Your forgiveness and mercy.”

Luke 18:13-14 “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his  eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,  God be merciful to me a sinner.

                I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other:  for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

 This man was a tax collector:  usually they were a cheat or thief….taking more than Rome demanded….for themselves.

But his prayer was of repentance:  “God be merciful to me a sinner”.

Mercy is God’s kindness to sinners.  There are temporal mercies: the sun, rain, harvests, etc., for all.

And there are spiritual mercies, which include sending His Son to save us, His faith and grace to help us, and His Holy Spirit to guide us…into forgiveness and grace.

Titus. 3:4-5 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

                Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,  by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

                Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;”

That is what this man wanted…..God’s mercy to him, spiritually, as a sinner…..one who had rebelled and offended God, and His Way.

He would not even look up….”would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven”.

Those that humble themselves under the hand of God, will be exalted in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)

“…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5)

This man wanted mercy for forgiveness,  and grace for salvation……

And he got it.   “This man”—the publican—went to his house justified.

Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith,  we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Real repentance does not go out and do the sin all over…..and that is what this man wanted….he wanted mercy for his sin,  and salvation from it……and he got it.

Sadly, the Pharisee did not.   He went home the same, as when he came….thinking he was in God’s favor…..but, Jesus said, he neither received mercy,  nor justification.   

Psalm 85:7-8 “Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation.

                  I will hear what God the Lord will speak:  for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints:  but let them not turn again to folly.”

The Greatest Need  for our day  is a return to First Principles

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto His disciples,  If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”

The very first principle for all who would follow Jesus,  is the message of the cross—your personal cross.

Luke 9:23 “And He said to them all,  If any man will come after me,  let him deny himself,  and take up his cross daily,  and follow Me.”

We will never have what Christ Jesus has for us in reality, unless we will deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him….

Bearing our cross to the place where we no longer resist His Will in anything….(This is not sinless perfection,  but it is final obedience….you will obey what He wills.)

And He sits enthroned in our hearts, and lives.

What is our personal cross?   This deals with our wills.

First,  it is something you can say “no” to;  for it is “whosoever will”,  “ if any man will”.

Second, it is personal.  My cross is not your cross, and visa-versa.

Third,  it is any thing in God’s Will that crosses our wills; or brings up resentment and a feeling of wanting to run away from it.

[I usually feel a bristling in me.  And as soon as I do,  I know I need to talk to the Lord about this….

“I am not liking Your Will, for whatever reason,  but I surrender right now, and ask that Your blessed Holy Spirit will help me, not just do this for Your sake,  but change my attitude about it.”]

When we come to the willed decision that Christ is going to rule our lives;  then Jesus calls us on to a more intimate calling:

Matthew 16:25 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:   And whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

This deals with our personality:  that which is truly us.

You see,  from children to grown-ups,  we take on the mannerisms and habits and attitudes of the world around us.   

What this call deals with is:  Jesus freeing us from these entanglements; and giving us liberty to be us….the true us, He created. 

He redeemed and saved us…not someone we think we would like to be like.

This is to “lose our lives in ourselves”.

We believe, our souls are the seat of our personality.   We are unique,  no two are exactly alike.

We believe also, that our souls are the most precious thing to God in all of His Creation….for Christ Jesus paid the Atonement price to save them.

When we are freed and under the liberty of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18),  only then do we find our life in Christ.  

As we continue to deny our self-life (our attitudes, our way of thinking things out, our affections, our reactions),…..so we may find our life in Christ.

Christ deals with us in His own way.

(I knew a child, that every time he became scared…..he would get angry.   This was a “mechanism” he used, to cover his fear.

He would yell,  he would stomp,….not for the reasons his parents thought, but because he was really scared.

Once they saw that,  they were able to deal with him…..not as a brat, having a fit….but as a scared kid……trying to act tough.    And that changed everything.)

You see it is only as we get past the “covers” of our attitudes,……that we can deal with the real issues.

Then our attitudes change.  

We walk by faith and not by sight.  

We “learn, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).  We learn discernment…what is good for us, and what is not.

And we gain confidence in our walk with God.   We know…

Philippians 3:15 “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (complete), be thus minded:  and if in anything ye be otherwise minded,  God shall reveal even this unto you.”

It is ever an onward walk with Christ….more and more of Him in us, freeing us from every sin and iniquity (anything unequal to your high calling in Christ Jesus)….

….till we are complete:   there are no half measures with God.  

Free from the bondage and influences of the world, and sin; 

Obedient—having our obediences up-to-date;

Surrounded by His peace (Philippians 4:7), practically…..we are at peace with God, with the circumstances….and even, at peace with ourselves.

Rooted and grounded in His love (Ephesians 3:17).

He wants us to be fully free, and fully His.  

Will we begin to “follow Him”,  by denying ourselves and picking up our cross (those things of His Will that cross what we want,….how we think…..how we feel)…….till we no longer resist His Will in anything.

Then going on to lose “our life”,  that we might truly be who He has created us to be….finding our life and purpose….in Christ Jesus.

Blessed.    

Psalm 65:4 “Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest,  and causest to approach unto Thee,  that he may dwell in Thy courts:  we shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house,  even of Thy  holy temple.”

Blessed means twice happy!

God sees us blessed;   How do we see ourselves, in His work?

When He chooses us,  He causes us to draw near to Him.  Would we resist that drawing?

When I was first brought back into the right way, after wandering away from God;  I was in awe, that  He loved me enough to welcome me back.

My thought was to grow closer to Him.  Nearer, Nearer, I prayed.  That is what I want.

The song of Nearer My God to Thee,  seemed to play in my head, often.

“Even though it be a cross that raises me…”.  

The “pig pen” of the world I had experienced;  I wanted the “home” of closeness with God.

Blessed I was, and am, for God’s mercy to me.

This Psalm typifies God’s great arms.  

Drawing us, even when we run away. Pop

Calling us, even when we have refused before.

“We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house,”

For Christians, the closer we get to the Lord,  the more satisfied we are.  

The further away from God,  the more opportunity for things to come in between us.   

These cause barriers.

The barriers we place, between the Lord and ourselves, cause discontent.

And discontent is to be dissatisfied.

And when we are dissatisfied,  we start looking for other things.

There are many temptations in the world,  the best place to be safe,  is in the “holy temple” of fellowship and nearness to the Lord.

Blessed is the one who is close to the Lord.

Blessed, also, is the one who is given opportunity to get near to the Lord, again.

Most blessed is the one who never looks for any other satisfaction again,…than in Him.

Everything I need,  Everything you need,…is found in Christ, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. 

Hebrews 12:1-2”Wherefore,  seeing we also are compassed about with so many witnesses,  let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,  and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  

              Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith;….”

We have a race to run….a Way to complete….our part in the Battle of the Ages, to fight…..and we must be equipped….by the Holy Spirit.

There must be a “putting off” (let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily beset us)

And there must be a “putting on” (put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 13:14)

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Know ye not that they which run in a race  run all,  but one  receiveth the prize?   So run,  that ye may obtain.

                And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown;  but we an incorruptible.

(Paul was showing by the games they were so fond of….a picture of our “race”.   A race which we are to finish.   We are not to stop because someone is ahead,….nor “faint” because these races were long….but continue on,  to finish….looking to the end, and the reward.)

                I therefore so run,  not as uncertainly;  so fight I,  not as one that beateth the air.

                But I keep under my body,  and bring it into subjection:  lest that by any means,  when I have preached to others,  I myself should be a castaway.”

Paul did all this,….that he might preach about Christ Jesus his Lord, to others.

Philippians 2:16 “Holding forth the Word of life;  that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain,  neither labored in vain.”

Everything I need….everything you need is found in Christ Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith…..and we will have it of His Spirit,….if we will continue on with Him.

Galatians 5:5-7 “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

               For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything,  nor uncircumcision;   but faith which worketh by love.

               Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?”

(Here, is faith, hope, and love.   Faith is the foundation, which gives hope….which is the confident expectation that God will do what He has promised.

Faith is the foundation, which works through love.  Faith justifies, and we are energized to work, by love for Him.)

These Galatians had begun to run their race, well,….in faith, hope, and love. 

But, they were “hindered”…….”hindered” here, means “breaking up a road”. 

(Imagine running down a street when all of a sudden it crumbles beneath us.

If we put our trust in anything beside Christ Jesus,  we are running on a crumbling road.)

So Paul corrects them, to get them back in the the right way….to finish their race.

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,  and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

In Peter’s second epistle (second books always deal with apostasy, a falling away from the truth.)….Peter says:

2 Peter 1:2-4 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,  and of Jesus our Lord.

              According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,  through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

              Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises;  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,  having the escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Twice,  knowledge of God and Jesus is mentioned.   How much we need to read HIs Word, and have fellowship with Him!

Twice “divine” is mentioned:  

      His divine power….this is grace by the Holy Spirit.

      Partakers of the divine nature (character)…….this is Christ’s character worked out within us, by the Holy Spirit, because we belong to Him.   

Twice “given unto us” is mentioned…..In Christ Jesus, we are given….we do not barter for His Spirit….

……we are given power to do (grace) by His Holy Spirit…that we might run with patience….in faith and love.

….we are given exceeding great and precious promises…..and part of our race is having that hope in Him…….that confident expectation that He will do what He says….

….and to see the fulfilling of them….in us…as we run.

We have escaped the corruption that is in the world….a way out of the twists and perversion of the world’s system….He gives us liberty!

Through faith in Christ,  we have been given a race to run.

He gives us the divine power, and the divine character if we follow on.

Yes, we need to “keep under” ourselves….that we might use all our energy to finish our course…

….that we might place the reward we get…at Christ’s feet.

Everything I need,  everything you need,…..is found in Christ Jesus,  the Author and finisher of our faith….

….and faith brings the victory in our lives.

                                             

                                            

Do we have, what we seem to have? 

Luke 8:18 “Take heed therefore how ye hear:  for whosoever hath,  to him shall be given,  and whosoever hath not,  from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”

“Which he seemeth to have”…..by outward appearance….he seems to have what he claims.

But by inward obedience….it is not his.  He may agree with it, as doctrine….but does not obey it for his life.

The faith Christ places within us, demands certain things from us.

“…for whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.”  (Romans 14:23)

That faith will never disappear….but it can be starved by lack of obedience …….becoming faithlessness……and the resulting actions be only outward show.

No amount of religious activity….will ever take the place of obedience.

Like Samuel told Saul….when he returned from the Amalekites:

(God had said to Saul, that these people were to be destroyed…completely.   

God did not want “sacrifices” from the best of the spoil…..

……He wanted them completely destroyed because of the wicked way they fought against the march of Israel when they were coming to the Promised Land.  

They would come up behind and kill the slowest and weakest of the people and children.)

1 Samuel 15:22-23 “And Samuel said,  Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,  as in obeying the voice of the Lord?   Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,  and to hearken than the fat of rams.

              For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,  and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.   Because thou hast rejected the Word of the Lord,  He has also rejected thee from being king.”

These verses used to bother me because of the lack of diligent obedience in my life, everyday……

……we are to be obedient….Christ said,  “If ye love Me,  keep my commandments.”  (John 14:15)

Isn’t that the real reason we hesitate to do His Will, or disobey….because we do not love Him as we should….something else has taken His place in our hearts?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Then these verses bothered me….because of “stubbornness”….

This is to “peck at”….we refuse this command because of this reason….

…..Oh, we would do it (we tell ourselves) except for this person or that circumstance….

…when actually we are being stubborn about having “our own way”

[Praise God for His Word which “bothers us”!]

(My husband dealt with a man once who was having a great many problems….and he asked my husband to pray for him….

….So my husband said,  “Yes,  I will pray that the Lord’s Will will be done in your life.”

And the man said, “Ok”…..then after a moment asked…..”Can you pray that my will will be done a little bit, too?” )

We laugh at that…..but aren’t we the same way…….we want our will done….”a little bit,  too”!

We think we can “give” God “something” to please Him….but He has plainly said…

Psalm 50:13-14 “Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?  

               Offer unto God thanksgiving;  and pay thy vows unto the Most High:”

No amount of religious activity will take the place of simple obedience.

What does God want from us?    Us.  

Proverbs 23:26 “My son,  give Me thine heart,  and let thine eyes observe My ways.”

Samuel told Saul (it was not his first rebellion to God’s Word)………”because thou hast rejected the Word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king.”

But notice, it is from “being king”…..God, here, was giving Saul a chance to save his soul by repentance….not his kingship….that was to be turned over to David…

….but Saul could have repented from his rebellion and stubbornness….and turned to God.

1 Samuel 15:17 “Then Samuel said,  When thou wast little in thine own sight,  wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel?  And the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?”

When Saul saw himself as a Israelite…..not king over them….God blessed him.

But kingship had changed his attitude about everything…..and he wanted all the praise, and honor that title held….

….forgetting it was just a title….without God’s blessing.

But to Saul…..if he could not be king….then,   Forget it!  

Saul then said all the right words….”I have sinned”…..but he blames the people…

“…because I feared the people.”

When God would not accept such a confession….then Saul showed his true desire…

1 Samuel 15:30 “Then he (Saul) said,   I have sinned:  yet honor me now,  I pray thee,  before the elders of my people,  and before Israel,  and turn again with me,  that I may worship the Lord thy God.”

The Lord “thy God”…..not my God….for to reject God’s Word and authority in our lives,  is to reject Him.

Matthew 21:44 “And whosoever shall fall on this Stone shall be broken:  but on whomsoever it shall fall,  it will grind him to powder.”

Here is the answer for stubborn hearts….for hesitate hearts….for double-minded hearts….

Our Rock.

We can “fall” on it…..leaving the broken pieces of our plans, failures and successes,…leaving our lives….by faith…falling into the arms of God and become broken to the world…..which is our spiritual enemy….

….and letting Him heal us, spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Or we can in the day of judgement see our lives be ground up as nothing.

Deuteronomy 33:27 “The Eternal God is thy refuge,  and underneath are the Everlasting Arms:  and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;  and shall say,  Destroy them.”

Are we loving God….our Eternal God….and being obedient to His Word to us?

“Come, and fall on Me,” Christ says,….”into My Arms…and I will heal you.”

Eternal Life 

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death;  but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John 17:1-3 “These words spake Jesus,  and lifted up His eyes to heaven,  and said,  Father, the hour is come;  glorify Thy Son,  that Thy Son may also glorify Thee:

                 As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh,  that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.

                 And this is life eternal,   that they might know Thee   the only true God,  and Jesus Christ,  Whom Thou hast sent.”

Eternal life is a a condition of life now……it begins the moment we are born again…..and continues throughout our life….and onward throughout eternity, forever, with God.

It is a gift from the Eternal God to His people.

Deuteronomy 33:27 “The Eternal God is our refuge,  and underneath are the everlasting arms:  and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee and shall say,  Destroy them.”

[It is interesting to note here, in this verse….there is the promise of His protection (our refuge),…..and care (underneath are His arms)…..but also the assurance that the victory shall come from Him (He shall thrust out)……yet,  He calls for our personal cooperation, in our wills and by His Word. (destroy them)!]

And what does Eternal life bring to us,  now?

1 John 5:11, 20 “And this is the record,    that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

                     And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding,  that we know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God, and eternal life.

                     Little children,  keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

First, eternal life gives us the knowledge that He is with us!  We are in Him, and He is in us.

In eternal life, we have “understanding”:

Ephesians 1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;  that ye may know what is the hope of His calling,  and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

(How much we need this, in a world which blinds us with glitter; and calls us to do as it does.  “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21)

And in eternal life, we “know truth”:

John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses,  but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”   (When truth is faced,  grace is given to us for it.)

John 7:17 “If any man will do His Will,  he shall know of the doctrine,  whether it be of God,  or whether I speak of Myself.”

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through Thy truth:  Thy Word is truth.”

(The Truth, sanctifies all who receive it:  It sets them aside to God, and His Way to go.)

And eternal life “purges” our conscience.     His sacrifice cleanses us from our sin (in power, as well as legally, from punishment)……..but His life, gives us  peace and power for the work ahead (1 John 3:19-21).

Hebrews 9:12-15 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves,  but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

                    For if the blood of bulls and of goats,  and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean,    sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh. (Under the law)

                    How much more shall the blood of Christ,  Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God,  purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

                    And for this cause  He is the Mediator of the New Testament,  that by means of death,  for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament,  they which are called   might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

This is a complicated section…for it contrasts the relief under the Law: which had to be repeated again and again……..and the cleansing under Christ, which is eternal, once for all.

But notice here, that three times,  “eternal” is used to describe what Christ did for those that look to Him for redemption.

1. Eternal redemption (vrs. 12) by His own blood.   We are eternally bought back from sin and death….we are HIs purchased possession….none can take us from His hand (John 10:28).

1. Who offered Himself through  the Eternal Spirit (vrs.14).    This speaks of His consent…continual consent, by His own will, in offering Himself to God as the Sin sacrifice.   

He consented  in the Everlasting Covenant to come and die for us….

He consented in the garden, when He said, “Not My will but Thine.”……

He consented before the men who took Him away (or they would not have been able to)….

and before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and the beatings…..

And consented, even when the mob cried, “Crucify Him”….

He consented when they made Him carry the cross….and when they nailed Him to it….

He consented when the people around the cross mocked Him….and the thieves which were by Him….leading one to believe and be saved.

Yes, through His Eternal Spirit He offered Himself.

And it was He,  the Son of God,  Who said,  “It is finished”……and He consented to all He had to do……till it was completely finished.

1. That they which are called   might receive the promise of eternal inheritance (vrs. 15).   This eternal inheritance is a pardon from the guilt of our sin….and a cleansing of our minds, hearts, and wills from sin.

It also includes the Holy Spirit, and reconciliation and fellowship in life to God.  

And it includes heaven, and the bliss that is to be found with God forever.

Eternal….the Lord never does things by halves.   What He promises us, through His Son,  He will do…..He is faithful.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly,  and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

                   Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who also will do it.”

And His life…..His eternal life for us….this condition of our lives, now…and throughout eternity……comes to us, as we look to Him,  Who was lifted up for us,…..and believe.

To be Saved Spirit, Soul, and Body 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;  and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

                     Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who will also do it.”

Now the very God of peace.  What a wonderful name for our God!

This is not judicial peace….that, we get when we are born again.   A not guilty verdict is given on us, for our sins….which we have committed against a Holy God.

How?   Because Jesus Christ died on the cross, taking all our sins on Him, and fulfilling the penalty of our sins in His sacrifice and death.  (As Son of God, His was the only worthy sacrifice which could pay such a price.)

But this title:  “the very God of peace”,  refers to the peace He gives us as we are His, in a world of woe.

This is, of course, as we yield to the Holy Spirit of God within us.

Peter has a verse which shows this:

2 Peter 1:5 “And besides this giving all diligence,  add to your faith virtue;  and to virtue,  knowledge;”

Add to your faith, virtue….  

This virtue is the “artea” of the Spirit.   It is the force of Him in our lives.   

He speaks, as the cooing of a dove (Matthew 3:16-17)….distilling peace, quietness and grace, into our busy lives.

He moves in our hearts,  to give purity of thought, and action.

He influences us into “…things….true,…honest,…just,…pure,…lovely,…good report,..” (Philippians 4:7-8)

Our hearts become gentle in dealing with others….for that is what He is.

And He places His love in us….for God, for the brethren, and for others. (John 13:34-35)

This is all brought about by acts of our will.  As you yield your will to the Holy Spirit, you find yourself being borne along…..as the sails of a ship, which are up are filled with the wind.

This is learned….though we receive the Holy Spirit at new birth,  yet we have to learn to yield to Him.  

His disciples, after three years with Him,  still had a lot to learn….and so do we.

But they did,….so can we:

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem…”He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,”.    

(It was time for Him to go up and have the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem…whether they received Him as their King or not. Matthew 21:1-9)

As He went, He had to pass through a village of the Samaritans.    But they refused His visit….because He was going up to Jerusalem,  not staying with them. 

(Remember He had preached and stayed at a Samaritan town, after talking to the woman at the well.  John 4:6-40)

But now they refused Him….silly anger, because they thought they were being looked over.  (How often our vanity leads us astray!)

And of what spirit are we?   Sometimes we think the motive we have is good,……but His will is always best.

Luke 9:53-56 “…And they did not receive Him….And when His disciples James and John saw this,  they said,    Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven,  and consume them,  even as Elijah did?

                     But He turned, and rebuked them, and said,   Ye know not of what manner of spirit ye are of.

                     For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives,  but to save them.   And they went to another village.”

Now, I want to point out that this is James and John,  two of the Lord’s closest disciples.    They wanted to defend Jesus….but He needed no defense….He came to this world, to save.

Sometimes it is better to walk away,  and leave the angry,   to their own fumes.

Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

The cities in those days needed walls around them, or marauding bands would come through, and steal and kill indiscriminately.

So, we need to keep our spirits, so that they will be yielding to the Holy Spirit, and not the spirit of the times,   

or the spirit of bitterness—looking back,  

or the spirit of scorn. 

Trust me,  I have been corrected so many times, about feeling “insulted”,   

Or thinking what others think….maybe they are smarter than I.

But…

What I need to know….is…what does my Lord think,  or feel about this.

Psalms 51:17 “The sacrifices of God  are a broken spirit:  a broken and contrite heart,  O God,  Thou wilt not despise.”

(This “broken” here, is like a horse….you break down their independence, not destroy their spirit.   They will only be able to trust and respond to you, as they are broken of their “wild” spirit.    

So with us.   David’s spirit of independence: he had sinned as a king, doing what he wanted…had to be “broken”; and it was.

But that had only brought him to lean on,  and trust God more.)

The God of Peace offers salvation:  spirit, soul, and body.   Let us come to Him and yield to the Holy Spirit’s force, “artea”, within us.

Let us yield to the sweet influence of purity….the purity of the Holy Spirit within us,  making us more like Christ.

A Profitable Servant

Luke 17:10 “So likewise ye,  when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say,   We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.”

As Christ’s servants, there will be an accounting for each of us…of those good works that He has required from us…(Hebrews 9:27)

But the real value of any work as His servant is….

…..do I do it out of love for Him?

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”  John 14:15

This starts when His disciples ask….”Lord, Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)

Luke 17:6 “And the Lord said,  If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed,  ye might say unto this sycamine tree,  Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.”

Here, the Lord says what faith will do…even a little faith…..but He does not say how is it increased….

….until He gives this:

Luke 17:7-9 “But which of you,  having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field,  Go and sit down to meat?

              And will not rather say unto him,  Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken;  and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

             Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?   I trow not.”

Jesus is saying:  true faith works.   True faith is never stagnant….it moves forward;  or it goes backward (2 Peter 1:9).

In the field we may labor for Christ,  His Word,  and His gospel call…..

…..but in the house (in our own personal devotions and church services)…..we serve, by ministering to Him….personally.

(I want to point out here, that the Lord is in charge in everything in this parable.

The servant,  outside;……and the servant,  inside….is just that,…a servant….commanded and guided by the Master.

Some of us Christians bristle at this….because they think a servant of the Lord does things….he does something for God.

No, and yes.   No….we can never do anything to add to God, or His goodness.

Yes, we can serve the Lord by being obedient…..and becoming, under HIs guiding hand,  devoted to Him.

The Lord pointed this out to Israel when they were bringing lots of offerings to Him…..without the heart’s devotion behind them.

Jeremiah 7:21-24 “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts,  the God of Israel;  Put your offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.

                 For I spake not unto your fathers,  nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:  

                  But this thing I commanded I them, saying,  Obey My voice, and I will be your God,  and ye shall be My people:  and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you,  that it may be well unto you.   (Exodus 15:25-26)

                  But they harkened not, nor inclined their ear,….”)

Our “services” to God, are a exercising of our faith….both in the world and in our personal devotions.

The question becomes….how can I become a profitable servant?  And what does this have to do with increasing our faith?

We are only profitable servants as we become, under His hand, able to minister to the Lord’s satisfaction….by letting Him have His way and will with us.

Again, I want to point out that faith “sees” God…..it is the instrument by which we know God in our lives.

It is a gift from God, implanted by the Holy Spirit, when we are born again…..but it is to grow….mature in the knowledge of God,…..and in love to God.

Both are “services” to God.

The more we know of God in our lives, the more we are able to go through the trials and tribulations in this world, by faith….it has increased.

The more we place ourselves at God’s disposal,  the more we learn how precious He regards us….and we come to love Him more…..then our faith has increased, as our love has increased.

So how to increase our faith?

….Jesus says:  use it,   by doing the obediences I place in front of you….

…and use it,  by submitting to My personal discipline, and fall in love with Me.

Our personal intimacy with God is to grow.   

We start out as babes in faith….being helped to do everything.

Then we become servants of God, by faith…..learning to submit to Him in everything….but by each obedience we have the ability to gain in fellowship.

Then we become mature workers of God…..by realizing that it is Him we are serving,…..in any situation,  in any place,  with anyone….He becomes the main reason for our existence.

We become “profitable servants”,  by becoming what He has purposed for us to be…..not by what we do (The Lord has provided all we need to do every good work He calls us to)……

….but by becoming devoted to Christ Himself.

The Everlasting God     

Genesis 21:33 “And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-Sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.”

The name of the Everlasting God was first revealed to Abraham.  He had just planted a grove in a place where he had dug a well.  

I believe,  he was thinking that in his son’s life time,  or in the times to come,  the trees would bring shelter to those who came to the well.

Trees take a while to grow, and in that moment,  God showed Abraham a new name for Himself.      

Everlasting:  Evermore, Forever.   

This describes God’s promise and protection for Abraham; but also his children to come.   He will be there for them,  long after Abraham had gone.

Revelation 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,  saith the Lord,  which is,  and which was,  and which is to come,  the Almighty.”

God is the God of all ages.  And to Him only,  are all things known.  

He revealed Himself through many names in the Old Testament, to show to those who believe, His character,……..usually at a time when they needed to know that He would be this,  to them.

Psalm 90:1-2 “Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

Before the mountains were brought forth,  or ever Thou hadst  formed the earth and the world,  even from everlasting to everlasting,  Thou art God.”

He is the Everlasting God,……setting times and seasons, according to His Will. 

But in it all, He saw us, now;…….and gave each of us a purpose:  

a path to follow, and an example by Jesus Christ His Son, to be conformed to.

We are not to be frightened by the largeness of the Will of God;  but rather step into our place in it.  

God is the Everlasting God,  He has been,  is,  and will be with us;…..so He is with us today.  (And that is what we need to concentrate on).

Isaiah 43:21 “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise.”

And how do we show forth His praise, today?

By showing forth the Kingship of the Lord Jesus in my life.  

He purposes to reign within my life.  And I must will with Him in this.   

We must show Him as our King,  by who we are in our everyday tasks.  

(Is He in charge,  within me?  Is He guiding me through my day?  Do I hear Him?)

Isaiah 43:18 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.”

It is time to put the past behind you.  Failures and successes. (Looking back while walking forward is never a good idea.)

Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake,  and will not remember thy sins.”

If He does not remember them,  why should you?   

Or why should you let the Adversary, the devil, beat you over the head with them?

Confess them,  forsake them. (As Jesus said to the woman taken in adultery:  “Neither do I condemn thee;  go and sin no more.”    He did not approve of her sin;  but forgave it, and told her not to do it again.)

And when you have done so:  go on with the Everlasting God:  for you were always in His plans and purposes.  

His purpose for each He saves, is that they show forth Jesus Christ as my King.  This is personal Kingship.

Everyone we come into contact with, will be faced with the reality of His Kingdom;……for it has come to us.

No Strength? Or unsure of the Wisdom to do?   Afraid to take the first step?

Isaiah 40:28-29 “Hast thou not known?  Hast thou not heard,  that the Everlasting  God,  the Lord,  the creator of the ends of the earth,  fainteth not,  neither is weary?  There is no searching of His understanding.

                               He giveth power to the faint;  and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.”

                              

Deuteronomy 33:27 “The Eternal God is thy refuge,  and underneath are the everlasting arms:…”

Remember:  the Holy Spirit is within you,  Christ Jesus has won the victory for you, and the Everlasting God has surrounded you with His Peace, and Purpose.

Abraham was at peace concerning the future of his son, and his son’s sons, and so on;  for the Everlasting God was His God, and He could not fail.