What steps can we take to faithfully deliver God's messages to others? Start with a Heart Ready to Listen “Then Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son!’ ‘Here I am,’ answered Samuel.” (1 Samuel 3:16) • Samuel’s immediate “Here I am” shows availability. • God entrusts His message to those who posture themselves to hear (1 Samuel 3:10). • Cultivate quiet before the Lord—regular time in Scripture and prayerful stillness. • James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Listening precedes faithful delivery. Confirm the Source before You Speak • Samuel first learned to recognize the Lord’s voice (1 Samuel 3:7–10). • 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” • Compare impressions with the written Word; Scripture never contradicts itself (2 Peter 1:20–21). • Seek godly counsel when needed (Proverbs 11:14). Commit to Obedience in Advance • Samuel was prepared to obey whatever God said, even hard truth for Eli (1 Samuel 3:17–18). • John 14:21 links obedience with love for Christ. • Decide beforehand: “Whatever You say, Lord, I will pass on unchanged.” Speak with Humility and Clarity • Eli addressed Samuel tenderly—“my son.” We too approach listeners with respect. • 2 Corinthians 4:2: “By open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience.” • Avoid vague hints; deliver the message plainly, yet gently (Ephesians 4:15). Give the Whole Counsel, Not Just the Comfortable Parts • Samuel “told him everything; he hid nothing from him” (1 Samuel 3:18). • Acts 20:27: “For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” • Jeremiah 26:2: “Do not omit a word.” • Selective silence distorts God’s intent; fullness of truth brings freedom (John 8:32). Trust God with the Outcome • After Samuel spoke, “The LORD was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19). • Isaiah 55:11 promises God’s word “will not return to Me void.” • Our task is faithfulness; fruitfulness belongs to God (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). Live a Life That Confirms the Message • “All Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD” (1 Samuel 3:20). Credibility grew from consistent character. • 1 Timothy 4:12 calls us to be “examples… in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” • Philippians 2:15: shine “as lights in the world,” so the messenger never contradicts the message. Remain Teachable and Accountable • Though God spoke through Samuel, the boy still served under Eli’s oversight (1 Samuel 3:15). • Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” • Hebrews 13:17 reminds us to honor spiritual leaders who watch over our souls. Accountability protects accuracy. Practical Take-Away Checklist – Daily Scripture intake and prayerful listening. – Test every prompting against the Bible. – Pre-commit to obey before details are known. – Speak truth fully, lovingly, and clearly. – Leave results to God’s sovereignty. – Guard personal integrity. – Stay humble under wise counsel. Following Samuel’s pattern in 1 Samuel 3:16 and the surrounding passage equips us to carry God’s words faithfully—available ears, obedient hearts, truthful lips, and lives that ring true. |
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