Reflection on 1 Samuel 3:1-20

Scripture
In those days, the Lord hardly ever spoke directly to people, and he didn't appear to them in dreams very often.

Observation
These are shocking words! What must the spiritual state of Israel have been at this time if God was not communicating with them?

We know that in many ways Eli was not a man worthy of the office of priest. He allowed his sons to abuse the worshippers and the sacrifices that were offered. Years earlier he had mistaken Hannah's fervent prayer for drunkenness.

Was Israel in a bad way because it was under bad leadership? Or was the leadership merely reflective of the general state of the nation? We aren't told, but we do know that God was determined to rectify the situation by sending a prophet, Samuel, to restore the voice of the Lord in Israel.

Application
There are many ways we can hear the word of God in this age. We have the written word and the Holy Spirit who speaks to us in a multitude of ways. This is a privilege that we often take for granted.

God longs for us to walk in relationship with Him. He wants us to speak with Him and to hear Him. Then we need to obey Him... but obedience must flow from a love relationship not a sense of duty.

One of y priorities for this year must be to listen more carefully to what God is saying to me.

Prayer
Lord God, help me to hear your voice. Help me to spend time in diligently listening to you, in discerning your voice and in reading your word.