1 Samuel 3:19-21
So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
God gave His message to Samuel because He knew Samuel was faithful. The lad was accustomed to being alert to Eli’s voice and to obeying immediately, so when God spoke, Samuel was ready. Being faithful in a few small things prepares you for bigger things (Matt. 25:21).
Hearing the voice of God did not keep Samuel from doing the work of God (v.15); he went right back to the old tasks. The nation would now listen to Samuel’s words, for they knew he was God’s spokesman.
Our Mediator
But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs [Those who served as priests in Old Testament times.] as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better
promises. - Hebrews 8:6
The Old Testament is a beautiful covenant of love, as God redeems fallen mankind and sets in motion his plan of grace to bring us to Jesus. But as powerful as that old covenant was, we have come to a superior covenant because the mediator of this new covenant is Jesus, who is the perfect sacrifice and guarantor of God's great promises.
God’s Promise
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. - Exodus 15:13
As a minister, I am privileged to be present at many of the most important events in people's lives. Good or bad, to be there at the crossroads of life is a sacred trust. In those moments that are hardest, dying and death, verses like this one fill my heart with strength and remind me why I answered a call to serve in waters way above my head. God's promise here is a great reminder that what he began when he redeemed his people out of Egypt, he would also complete by bringing them into the Promised Land.
Now, we can hear a more powerful promise behind these words. We can find it even more reasonable to trust them. God did what he said for Israel. Since he did for them, can't we say with confidence, "I know you will guide us to your holy dwelling?"
So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
God gave His message to Samuel because He knew Samuel was faithful. The lad was accustomed to being alert to Eli’s voice and to obeying immediately, so when God spoke, Samuel was ready. Being faithful in a few small things prepares you for bigger things (Matt. 25:21).
Hearing the voice of God did not keep Samuel from doing the work of God (v.15); he went right back to the old tasks. The nation would now listen to Samuel’s words, for they knew he was God’s spokesman.
Our Mediator
But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs [Those who served as priests in Old Testament times.] as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better
promises. - Hebrews 8:6
The Old Testament is a beautiful covenant of love, as God redeems fallen mankind and sets in motion his plan of grace to bring us to Jesus. But as powerful as that old covenant was, we have come to a superior covenant because the mediator of this new covenant is Jesus, who is the perfect sacrifice and guarantor of God's great promises.
God’s Promise
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. - Exodus 15:13
As a minister, I am privileged to be present at many of the most important events in people's lives. Good or bad, to be there at the crossroads of life is a sacred trust. In those moments that are hardest, dying and death, verses like this one fill my heart with strength and remind me why I answered a call to serve in waters way above my head. God's promise here is a great reminder that what he began when he redeemed his people out of Egypt, he would also complete by bringing them into the Promised Land.
Now, we can hear a more powerful promise behind these words. We can find it even more reasonable to trust them. God did what he said for Israel. Since he did for them, can't we say with confidence, "I know you will guide us to your holy dwelling?"
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