Sunday, September 1, 2013

Seeking Spiritual Vision

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.  -I Samuel 3:1 (KJV)

I love studying Samuel of the Old Testament.  He was a tireless servant, an outspoken prophet, and a fiery preacher of God’s Word.  He began as a baby, dedicated to God from his birth.  Can you imagine his mother Hannah’s feelings as she took the child she had so earnestly prayed for and gave him back to God (See I Samuel chapters 1 and 2)?  I cannot imagine such depths of faith, love, and personal sacrifice.  She promised God that if He gave her a child she would give the child back to God.  She was good to her word.  Because of her faithfulness, God blessed her.  Moreover, God blessed the nation of Israel because they soon had a prophet of God among them who spoke the truth, a man of God unlike anyone they had seen for a long time. 

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  Unless there is a vision, a word from God, the people will indeed perish.  We lose hope, we lose sight of what God calls us to do, and we lose our zeal for proclaiming the gospel.  We need the word preached with prophetic voice and God-inspired vision. 

The Bible says in I Samuel the child Samuel was ministering before the Lord.  Imagine that; a little boy doing the work of a priest.  However, he was doing a far better job than those in charge.  I Samuel 3:1 says the Word of the Lord was precious (rare) in those days.  There was no open vision.  Try to imagine a world where no one preached the gospel or proclaimed the truths of God’s Word.  This is a harsh judgment upon the world and upon a people.  When this happens, people lose all hope of a better and brighter day.  What is it that has long given people hope of a better and brighter day?  It is hope in the Living God – hope and faith that God Almighty will again pour out His Spirit upon an unworthy people.  He has done it; He still does it, and let us pray God continues to do so.

Do not lose your God-given vision, my friends.  Seek the Lord and you will find Him.  Pray in faith and listen for the still, small voice of the Lord.  Renewed spiritual power and a fresh touch from God are available.  Be encouraged and walk forward in faith.

God bless you today.