Psalm 13:1-2
“How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?”
Four times the Psalmist cried out;
HOW LONG?
~ Will You forget me? For ever?
~ Will You hide Your face from me?
” I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Verses from Psalm 4)
David would encourage himself in the Lord in times of trouble.
One way for us to do that is to have scripture implanted in our hearts and minds. This only comes from memorization, meditation and action. To know the Lord we must know His Word and walk in it.
Then you can lay down in peace and sleep, knowing the Lord is keeping you safe.
“But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.”
Are you set apart, godly? Does the Lord hear your call? Do your prayers reach the highest heavens? Do you listen and wait for His answer? Do you accept the judgements, answers to your calls?
“Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.”
Is the joy of the Lord a growing fruit in your life?
Gladness isn’t about a smile on your face or a bounce in your step. It is a place of Faith, (to do His will). Wisdom, (to understand His will). Knowledge, (to know how to do His will).
Gladness, (is ours in His service).
This is from 1 Samuel 3:1. ” the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”
We find Eli the High Priest a man that knew the Form, Rituals, Duties and Laws of the Lord but didn’t seem to know the Lord at all.
His sons were ungodly, taking the best of the Sacrifices for themselves, leaving the dregs for God. Entertaining themselves with the Prostitutes who were in the area.
The Temple should have had a warning sign.
It was a form of godliness, denying the power thereof.
I believe that is why the sons were off track.
Their Rituals were dead, there was no life. No truth to their Worship. It’s hard to be a Servant of the living God, when He is far from you because of your sin and unbelief.
Hannah, had come and prayed for a son, whom she would dedicate to the Lords service. Her prayer was answered and after the child was weaned, she entrusted him to Eli to learn the ways of the Lord.
It is a wonderful thing that Eli, a man who knew not the Lord, could teach Samuel to be a man that the Lord could and would use.
Why Samuel and not his sons? Hannah had given him to the Lord, prayed for him, taught him at home before giving him to Eli. Hannah shared her living faith.
Samuel had an open heart and mind to serve and obey the Lord.
It wasn’t long before Samuel heard the voice of the Lord, who gave him a Word of Knowledge, the Lord told him of the end of Eli and sons.
So the Word of the Lord was precious, (hidden, not proclaimed), until a suitable vessel was in place.
Today Saints, the Word of the Lord could go forth in Power and Might, if the Lord found suitable vessels in His body.
By the ninth chapter we find:
“the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came,”
Samuel was an open, obedient, reliable and humble vessel, the Lord told Him many things, before they came to pass. Wouldn’t that be handy in our lives?
Has the Lord spoken into your ear? Would you recognize His voice if He did? The Lord will speak to those who will listen. Has He been trying to get your attention?
Is there something in your lo life that is more important than Him? A person or thing, greed,
lust, pride?
It could be that small sin you won’t left go of. You feed it when you’re alone. You don’t want anyone to know, it shames you, you believe you have it conquered, then it sneaks back into the light.
No matter how hard we try, the old man raises his ugly head. How long oh Lord?
Until, you are fully immersed in His Word, desire His presence, allow His leading, guiding, directing your path.
We must take a page from Samuels book. Love and Obey the Lord with our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Love one another, be open to say: “Speak Lord, your servant listens.”
Then we may find Power and Might in our Worship.
theunfetteredpreacher 