"And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD."
1Sam. 3:21
These are the last words of Ch3. A chapter that describes a dark day in the life of Israel. A day where God's voice was no longer heard. A day where sin was no longer hidden but celebrated. A day when there was no one leading the people of God. No one left to speak for Yahweh. And yet God refused to give up on them. He raises up yet another man, Samuel whom he would use to restore & rescue his people.
I don't know about you, but I have gone through times in my life where Gods' voice seemed non existent. Where his power and his presence were absent. There have many days I have felt all alone. But I am encouraged this morning because I see a God who never gives up on me. I see a God whose grace, mercy and love never fails me. Listen even though Israel was far from God ...God was not far from Israel. My God is a God of long suffering. A God who loves me with an everlasting love. He waits and he waits and He waits so that He might show His mercy. And these words closing out Ch1-3 are beautiful to hear. "the LORD appeared again at Shiloh...the LORD revealed himself to Samuel..." Shiloh was to be the place that Israel centered there "lives" around. It was the place of worship. It was the place where the Ark of the Covenant rested...it was the very place God's presence dwelt among his people. It was to be the central focus, all consuming passion of there lives. And yet somehow, somewhere they got off course... and now they found themselves in a place they did not want to be, alone... but they were not forgotten.
I love the fact that my God even though I may struggle at times, still pursues me. I praise God that He uses all things in my life to draw me back to himself. The promise I have this morning is this...if I will "Be still..." and center all that I am on all that He is...and seek Him thru his word ...he will speak. He will reveal himself to me! God I praise you that you're not a God who ever lets go of me. God just as you spoke to Samuel through your word, God may you speak to me today. "Here I am LORD, your servant is listening."
Not Ashamed...Bill
These are the last words of Ch3. A chapter that describes a dark day in the life of Israel. A day where God's voice was no longer heard. A day where sin was no longer hidden but celebrated. A day when there was no one leading the people of God. No one left to speak for Yahweh. And yet God refused to give up on them. He raises up yet another man, Samuel whom he would use to restore & rescue his people.
I don't know about you, but I have gone through times in my life where Gods' voice seemed non existent. Where his power and his presence were absent. There have many days I have felt all alone. But I am encouraged this morning because I see a God who never gives up on me. I see a God whose grace, mercy and love never fails me. Listen even though Israel was far from God ...God was not far from Israel. My God is a God of long suffering. A God who loves me with an everlasting love. He waits and he waits and He waits so that He might show His mercy. And these words closing out Ch1-3 are beautiful to hear. "the LORD appeared again at Shiloh...the LORD revealed himself to Samuel..." Shiloh was to be the place that Israel centered there "lives" around. It was the place of worship. It was the place where the Ark of the Covenant rested...it was the very place God's presence dwelt among his people. It was to be the central focus, all consuming passion of there lives. And yet somehow, somewhere they got off course... and now they found themselves in a place they did not want to be, alone... but they were not forgotten.
I love the fact that my God even though I may struggle at times, still pursues me. I praise God that He uses all things in my life to draw me back to himself. The promise I have this morning is this...if I will "Be still..." and center all that I am on all that He is...and seek Him thru his word ...he will speak. He will reveal himself to me! God I praise you that you're not a God who ever lets go of me. God just as you spoke to Samuel through your word, God may you speak to me today. "Here I am LORD, your servant is listening."
Not Ashamed...Bill
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