Jarvis Devo: Samuel and preparing for his calling

Scripture:

1 Samuel 3:1-7  ¹ The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. ² One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. ³ The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was. ⁴ Then the LORD called Samuel.  Samuel answered, “Here I am.” ⁵ And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. ⁶ Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” ⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

Observation:

Usual Space: This was a common space for Samuel. This was the same spot he waited for the Lord. It was not just a once or twice event, it was an common occurrence. It happened frequently and often that he was at the spot waiting on the Lord. He had consistant times with his God.

The Lamp of God had not gone out: The fire did not die. It did not burn. The fire was kept burning. Am I letting my lamp go out?  We have the flame of God burning within us, but is that flame dying out or comsuming us (strating a fire in our hearts). Our God is a consuming fire; if He lives within you then He should be consuming you.

Where the ark of God was: He desired to be as close to God as he could. He wanted to be in His presence. Wanted to be next to Him. As close as he can. Thats the best spot to be at.

Called Samuel: God called Samuel and he was ready to answer. Am I ready to answer the calling? Am I listening? Samuel’s response to the call was “Here I am”. He was standing there ready too respond. What is my response to God’s call, “not yet, I’m not ready, call back, can you text me later (facebook me), do you mind coming back at a better time, I am too busy, raincheck, who is this?, I got other plans” What would me response be? I need to be ready to hear His voice.

Now Samuel did not yet KNOW the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him: Samuel was in God’s presence but he did not recognize who God was. How many times in our life has God tried to show up but we missed it because we did not recognize Him. We missed Him because we were not expecting the way He came or not expecting it at all. Do you know His voice. The more you hear it, the more you know. Like a child who knows their parents voice; we are his children. We need to know His voice.

Application:

Am I ready? Am I letting my lamp (fire) go out? Samuel met and heard from God in his usual place with his heart ready and open. Do I have that and do I do that? Am I waiting on God or is He waiting on me? Is he waiting for me to be ready to receive from Him. He was in God’s presence (ark) and ready. Do I recognize he Lord when He shows up? Am I ready to be called on for whatever opportunity that God has for me. Am I ready? Here I am…..Ask of me…You call,I will answer. We say that we wait for God to answer us, but maybe He first wants us to answer. I need to learn to listen. Here I am!

Prayer:

I pray that mu heart is tender to You like Samuel’s. That I do not let my fire die. That I continually soak in your presence and I try to get as close as I can. That I continue to long to be close to You. Help me to be ready to receive from You. That when you call I do answer with “Here I am, I am ready for You.” Make me an instrument of your grace. Grant me the hunger for your word. Let it be a light to my path. May all things become shadows in the light of you.