Pastor Bob DuPar
May 8, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

1 Samuel 2:22-4:22; John 5:24-47; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 14:30-31.

Observation

Our OT reading today was a sharp contrast between the godlessness of Eli’s sons Hophni & Phinehas and the godliness of Samuel. God asks Eli in 1 Samuel 2:29, “Why do you honor your sons more than me?” That’s a convicting question for each one of us, as each of us has at one time or another honored someone or something more than God.

It’s interesting in 1 Sam. 2:32 that God makes it clear that He will still bring good to Israel, but Eli and his descendants will pay the price for their sin.

Oh that we all might have a responsive heart like Samuel to say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” This spirit of obedience led to blessing. 1 Sam. 3:19 says that “the Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and He (God) let none of his words fall to the ground. And, two verses later: “the Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there He revealed Himself to Samuel through His Word.” How awesome!

How dumb it was to take the Ark of the Covenant into battle against the Philistines like it was some good luck charm that would blot out their sinfulness (the real cause of their defeat). 2 Sam. 4:10-11 records devastating loss: 30,000 soldiers were slaughtered, the ark of God was captured and Hophni & Phineas died. Later, Eli and Phineas’ pregnant wife would join them in death. God’s prophetic words were being fulfilled.

I love John 5:26, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.” Jesus condemned the Pharisees a few verses later in 5:39-40 for studying the Scriptures and yet missing the whole point of the Scriptures: to draw us/lead us to God that we might experience this life!

Finally, Proverbs 14:31 is especially powerful:

“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

Application

I desire to make God my top priority, the One I show honor and preference above all else. I pray that I will continually have a responsive and sensitive heart like Samuel to hear God’s voice and act upon it.

Prayer

“God, help me to live in Your life. May I not just go through the motions and miss the heart of that personal, powerful relationship with You. Finally Lord, please give me opportunities to be kind to the needy and the wisdom to know how best to help them.”