Prayer: Father, help me to understand the life of Samuel and significance he holds in Your story. Amen.
Reading: 1 Chronicles 6 key: vs. 7-13 “The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son. The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth, his son Elkanah, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. The sons of Samuel: his first-born Vashni, then Abiah.” TLV
Attention: I was visiting my widowed mother recently and she pulled out the 40-year high school reunion class book of my father’s. The class reunion book had class graduation and current pictures of each graduate, along with a personally written overview of their personal life achievements since graduating. It was interesting reading to see the contrasting biography of those who had chosen to leave the home state of Minnesota and venture into other parts of our nation.
It is difficult to appreciate a listing of names found in today’s 1st Chronicles reading unless one knows the background story. One of the key central figures in all the Old Testament is Samuel. In the book of Samuel, we discover that Elkanah, his father, had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. “Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless.” In Hebrew culture, having a male child was important to both parents, but especially to the female to ensure the continuation of the family line. I encourage you to read the first three chapters of 1st Samuel.
If you are married and have tried to have children and been unsuccessful, you may find answers and comfort in reading Hannah’s story and prayer.
The birth of Samuel was a critical moment in the history of Israel. Young Samuel was dedicated by his mother, and he became the priest who was called on by Adonai to anoint the first king of Israel. Eli, the High priest who mentored Samuel, had two sons who were “worthless fellows.” So, they did not continue the line of Eli as worthy priests. The anointing transferred to Samuel and chapter three tells us some key information: “Now the boy Samuel was in the service of Adonai under Eli. In those days the word of Adonai was rare—there were no visions breaking through (1st Samuel 3:1).” The transition of visions begins in and with the life of Samuel. By the conclusion of chapter 3, visions began with young Samuel; “So Samuel grew up and Adonai was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground. Then all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was entrusted as a prophet of Adonai. Adonai started to appear once more in Shiloh, for Adonai revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of Adonai (1 Samuel 3:19-21).”
I encourage you to engage with the Holy Spirit in seeking the manifestation of dreams and visions. Just as there was a transition and increase of dreams and visions in Samuel’s day, we are experiencing an increase today. This is the day and time prophesied by Joel.
Action: I choose to embrace that today is the era of increased dreams and visions.
Yield: I choose to submit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and mentoring in my life.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in my lifestyle living of obedience.
Relationship: I choose to live an obedient, intimate life with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I want to live a dedicated life like Samuel, of hearing Your voice, living obediently, and being a servant/slave unto You. Amen.
Memory Verse: Acts 2: 16-18 “But this is what was spoken about through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ says God, ‘that I will pour out My Ruach on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even on My slaves, male and female, I will pour out My Ruach in those days, and they shall prophesy.” TLV
Music Video: Casting Crowns—God of All My Days https://youtu.be/ZYkZE8AogDE?si=Wo4o5lNLyouLwbxl
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”