Prayer Journal
Friday, October 27, 2000
"Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, 'Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place." 1 Sam 3:8b,9
Hannah had been praying for a son all her life - one who would be dedicated to God's service. When Samuel was born, she knew this was the child of promise so she took him to Eli the priest to live there and serve God.
Eli had children of his own but they were not what you'd call godly. In fact, they had no regard for the Lord and Eli was not much better. He was unwilling to correct and discipline his boys so God judged the whole family for their sin. We can see by Eli, his boys and Samuel both good and bad examples of having a teachable spirit. Eli and his boys didn't have one and Samuel did.
Proverbs 3:11 encourages us not to despise the discipline of the Lord nor to resent his rebuke. God reminds us that a father disciplines a son in whom he delights. The opposite being true, a father without love allows his children to rebel without correction and rebuke. Then, from the child's perspective, they must submit to the teaching or they will surely misinterpret the discipline as punitive rather than redemptive.
Jesus said there was much at stake when it comes to having a teachable spirit. In John 8:31 he said, "If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." But how many of us reject His teaching and make up our own rules? In doing so, we become ignorant of the truth and slave to our own foolishness?
This message is for children or all ages, from one month to 100 years old. The only vessel God can use is the one with a teachable spirit. Are we a vessel that honors God by listening to Him? Do we desire the instruction of our parents? Do we accept the correction of our employer?
Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
