How can we apply Eli's acceptance of God's will in our own lives? Setting the Scene 1 Samuel 3 records God’s first prophetic word to the boy Samuel—an oracle of judgment against Eli’s house. After urging Samuel not to hide anything, Eli hears the hard news. His response unfolds fully in the next verse: “He is the LORD,” Eli replied. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.” (1 Samuel 3:18) Even before hearing the details, Eli’s heart was prepared to accept whatever God would say (3:17). His posture offers a template for us. What We See in Eli • Recognition of God’s absolute authority—“He is the LORD.” • Humility before divine judgment—no argument, no excuses. • Trust in God’s goodness—“good in His eyes” assumes God’s character is righteous even when the verdict is painful. Core Principles of Acceptance • God’s sovereignty is non-negotiable (Psalm 115:3; Romans 9:20). • Acceptance grows out of humility (James 4:6). • Confidence in God’s goodness steadies the heart (Nahum 1:7). • Obedience follows trust; Eli’s words free Samuel to speak the whole truth (Ephesians 4:25). Practical Steps for Today 1. Acknowledge God’s Right to Rule – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…” (Proverbs 3:5) – Verbally affirm God’s lordship when facing news you would rather not hear. 2. Lay Down Self-Protection – Eli does not shield himself from bad news. – Choose transparency with God and with those He uses to speak into your life. 3. Embrace Humility – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand…” (1 Peter 5:6) – Humility keeps bitterness from taking root when outcomes disappoint us. 4. Trust God’s Character, Not Circumstances – “We know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him…” (Romans 8:28) – Eli’s trust mirrors Job’s: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21) 5. Submit Your Will Daily – Jesus set the supreme example: “Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) – Make submission a habit, not a last resort. 6. Accept Consequences While Seeking Renewal – Eli could not reverse the judgment, but acceptance opened space for God’s ongoing work in Israel through Samuel. – Even when discipline comes, look for God’s forward-moving purpose (Hebrews 12:5-11). Living It Out • Start each day with a simple declaration: “He is the LORD; let Him do what is good in His eyes.” • Practice immediate obedience in small matters to build trust muscles for larger trials. • When correction arrives, refuse to argue with God; instead, ask how He wants to transform you through it. • Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness after surrender—your story will encourage others to accept His will too. |
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