PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Samuel 1-2
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind.” (1 Samuel 2:35)
The stories of the bible were inspired and written to lead us to Jesus.
Some people are imperfect anticipations of Jesus, like David.
Others are opposite examples of what Jesus will be.
The priests and kings of Israel were both, though mostly opposites.
Samuel and his sons become the opposite of what God desired.
This is the human dilemma, we can’t be who God made us to be.
From the beginning God’s promise was to raise up a good human.
One day the woman’s offspring would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).
This promised human leader would be a faithful priest, king, leader.
Jesus is this promised faithful prophet, priest and king.
He does not serve himself, like Eli’s sons, but sacrifices himself.
My confidence is not in my goodness or leadership; yours should be either.
Look to and submit to Jesus’s leadership; he will not let us down!
PRAYER
Lord, God raised you up to raise me up, to help me be all that God created me to be! Help me to do according to what is in God’s heart and mind!
Hannah and Elkanah are faithful. Hannah’s testimony: “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” – her sincere worship of the Lord leads to her being blessed with a son Samuel. Hannah is so much like Mary. Blessed and faithful women who carry special children in service to God’s people. Samuel is a timely and needed prophet and is the turning point of the dismal situation of faith at the time of his birth. Hannah presents Samuel – who is raised in a solid faithful foundation – he learns about God from a devout mother and father – and enters into the temple service where there is so much corruption. I thank God for my faithful mother as well who instilled in us as soon as we could understand, a love for God, for Jesus! How important faithful parents are!!
Throughout history we see those leaders who have succumbed to their own desires. I too am among those as a leader in my family. All to often, Thy will be done becomes my will be done and my will does not align to His will. I need to listen to His leading and guiding always. I need to ask myself, where is the Lord in this decision? Each day I need to ask the Lord to guide me in my living for Jesus