Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11
Testimony
I was there for a faceoff with God...to say to Him that I have tried but You were silent. Now I will die and it will be Your fault God. You ignored my cries....but God showed up and saved my life..... Read More...

Seeds of the Kingdom

Speak, Lord

by Christel Baxter

The Word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision.

In 1 Samuel 3, we read the account of young Samuel, who was dedicated to the Lord by his mother, Hannah, after she made a promise to God to give Him her firstborn, if He would heal her barrenness. Samuel grew up in the temple since he was a very little boy. He served Eli, the priest, and slept near the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the very presence of God.

But even though Samuel was in the temple daily, He hadn’t encountered God for himself, and didn’t know the voice of the Lord. In fact, we read in 1 Sam 3:1 that the word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days. The heavens had become like brass because of the hardness of heart among the people of Israel and the corruption of the priesthood. But one night God called out to young Samuel, and, as he was inexperienced in hearing God’s voice, Samuel went to Eli three times, assuming it was he who’d called, until Eli realised that God was wanting to speak to Samuel, and he told him how to respond: “Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Today, in many countries, the Word of the Lord is plentiful and available for anyone to read, and to hear. There are television and radio stations, internet sites, podcasts, and many other sources that carry a Christian message. In fact, in the times we live there are many voices in our ears, many of which may shout, “Thus sayeth the Lord!” The difficulty has become in discerning the truth amongst a mixture of voices – truly hearing the voice of God. The truth is often compromised and watered down, because it challenges many of the ungodly values of our times. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says, ‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables’.

When last have we heard the voice of God for ourselves? Do we know the Lord intimately, and are we able to accurately discern His voice? It’s only when we spend time with someone that we learn to know their voice in a crowd. The danger is that, as Samuel, we can be IN the House of the Lord, and yet not be accustomed to the sound of His voice. We’re often quick to seek counsel from others, before sitting at the feet of the Lord and listening for His counsel. We may even have itching ears that seek out people who tell us what we would like to hear, rather than what we need to hear.

The Word of the Lord – the accurate, pure, unadulterated Word of God – can indeed be rare and precious in the times we live. God doesn’t shout at us to compete with the other voices in our ears. He usually speaks in a still small voice that calls for us to ‘Be still, and know’ (Psalm 46:10a), and His Word is unchanging and steadfast. Because of the Holy Spirit Jesus sent to be our Helper and Counsellor, we CAN hear His voice, but we need to be willing to say, like Samuel, “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Prayer: Lord, I love hearing Your voice. It is indeed precious, and a comfort to my heart. Help me to never be so busy that I neglect being still, and that I make room for You to speak into my spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Christel Baxter joined the Associate prayer ministry team at Shere House, S.Africa in 2008 after attending the 20 day school. Besides serving together on the associate team at Shere House, Christel & her husband, Gary, pastor New Life Ministries, a congregation in Boksburg, Gauteng. Their children, Liezl and Wesley, are both married, and they adore their son-in-law and daughter-in-law and their little granddaughter, Hannah! Christel is passionate about seeing broken lives restored and especially loves ministering God`s love and healing to women of all ages.

 

Sign Up Now

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.

In this book, Bob Gordon teaches what the Bible sa...
Sarah Shaw had a successful career as a manager in retail business. But she came to a point when she could no longer keep up appearances, by controlling her tormented inner world. So damaged was she by the consequences of childhood abuse, that she was...
Special Pack includes DVD 6-disc box set, 4x study...
The DVD series, together with this study guide and...
Many forms of alternative therapies are available ...
Peter Horrobin uses real-life testimonies, parables and illustrations to unlock some of the most difficult theological and life issues that often make us stumble through our Christian walk. This 18-part DVD series is an inspirational whistle-stop tour...
130 daily teachings for a journey of radical and a...
In this book, Jack Hayford teaches what the Bible ...
In this book, Ed Roebert teaches what the Bible sa...
Denise Cross gets to the roots of why we feel rejected and how we can overcome the power it often has, sometimes unwittingly, over our lives. Use this book to walk a path of self-acceptance and breathe new life into your relationship with others and with...