Month: July 2012

Hear For Yourself

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“Hear For Yourself” by Kirk Hunt

 

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee?   I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

1 Samuel 3:16–17 KJV

Read also 1 Samuel 3: 1–18

 

Scripture (1 Samuel 4:18) describes Eli as physically “heavy.”  I In my mind’s eye, I have the  image of this large, bearded man begging a scrawny little kid to give him a message from God.  Or, worse yet, threatening a scrawny little kid.  Eli, the High Priest who made atonement to God for all of Israel, needed a young boy to tell him God’s Word.

 

In the modern era, under God’s “grace and truth,” you can hear from God directly.  God speaks through your Bible.  God speaks while you spend time in prayer.  His voice is often found because of fasting.

 

Spiritual disciplines are necessary to hear God’s voice but they are not enough.  A heart that wants to hear, and is willing to listen, is also necessary.  Eli as High Priest, was familiar with the things of God.  It plain that Eli heard God, but he did not listen to God.

 

No one can listen for you.  Soft or hard, God will give you the opportunity to hear from Him.  You must deliberately plant yourself before God, then listen for yourself.

 

Think: Am I listening for myself?

 

Pray: “Lord, I am here to truly hear You.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2012, Kirk Hunt

Listen For Yourself

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“Listen For Yourself” by Kirk Hunt

 

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

1 Samuel 3:13 KJV

Read also 1 Samuel 3: 1–15

Verse 13 is not a promise from God.  It is a statement of certainty.  It is a pronouncement of judgment.

 

God had spoken directly to Eli.  There had been an opportunity to fix the situation.  If Eli heard, he certainly did not act.  God decided Eli needed to get the message by other means.

 

God chose to speak directly to a child.  If nothing else, Hannah’s boy listened.  The coming judgment for Eli and his sons is a tough first audience with the King of creation.

 

God is speaking.  He has a message for you.  He wants you to act in response and obedience to what you hear.  He wants you to listen for yourself.

 

Because He is a loving, gracious God, He gives us a chance to make it right.  Still, we have to exercise our wills in following His commands.  If we choose to continue in disobedience, God may change the route, and content, of what He says to you.

 

Listen, and obey, for yourself.  God will make sure you hear what He has to say.  Listen for yourself, while you can.

 

Think:                        God is speaking.  Am I listening?

 

Pray:              “Lord, I want to listen and act when you speak.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2012, Kirk Hunt

“Speak For Yourself”

“Speak For Yourself” by Kirk Hunt

 

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10 KJV

Read also 1 Samuel 3: 1–12

Samuel the Prophet of God was not always a mighty man of God.  “Hannah’s boy” fetched, carried and did the menial tasks.  God of course saw his sincerity and loyalty, and spoke from heaven.

 

It was a sleepless, confusing night.  Samuel recognized the Voice that spoke with authority and familiarity.  More than once He reported to Eli the High Priest, the closest and most familiar voice of authority Samuel knew.

 

Samuel answered the call from Heaven.  “God, I am listening.”  A young boy began a life-long dialog with God, just like that.  All he had to do was speak for himself.

 

The best relationships with God are a dialog.  The Master of all creation wants back-and-forth with the least of us.  God wants give-and-take with you.

 

The great Prophet started his real walk with God the night he spoke for himself.  No High Priest or electronics required.  If a pre-teen can have a private conversation with God, so can you.

 

Stop where you are.  No matter your past or present, God wants to talk with you about your bright and joyous future.  Answer Him for yourself.  He has words for you.

 

Think: God calls to me.  How will I answer?

 

Pray:   “Lord, I want to speak with You.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2012, Kirk Hunt