1 Samuel 3: 11-20
And the Lord said to Samuel: “See I’m about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of it tingle. At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family–from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to constrain them. Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’ ”
Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.”
Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
“What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
A Thought
The Lord spoke to Samuel concerning the judgement the Lord had spoken against Eli and his sons that could never be atoned for by neither sacrifice or offering. Eli had known about the sins of his sons and Eli had done nothing about it. At morning Eli threatens Samuel to tell what the Lord had spoken. Although afraid, Samuel told Eli the word that the Lord had spoken.
As parents we have a great responsibility to train our children in the way of God’s word, not only to save them from judgement but also to save ourselves. The Church also has a great responsibility to warn others of the cost of sin; but the good news is that our sins can now be atoned for by the price that Christ paid with his own blood. Even though we may be afraid, we must speak the truth with love to others. We must all be ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Prayer
Father fill us with a boldness to speak your word to others to let them know of your love and mercy for them. May we also be warned of the coming judgement. Fill us with the power of you Holy Spirit to enable us to live a godly life and to be a witness for you. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
