Pastor Marshall Ochs | April 23, 2023
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Samuel 3-4. These chapters tell the story of young Samuel growing in ministry and learning to hear the voice of the Lord. In contrast to Samuel’s growing ministry, the ministry of Eli and his sons comes to an end. In a battle with the Philistines, Eli’s boys are killed and the ark is stolen. This story reveals powerful truths about God’s character and principles for living in a community of faith.
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Monday: Read 1 Samuel 3:1-15
This passage tells us that “the word of the Lord was rare” in those days. The people either refused to listen to God or allowed sin to stand in their way. Is the word of the Lord rare in your life? Will you spend time in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal things distracting you from hearing the voice of the Lord? Will you ask Him to give you a hunger and thirst for Him?
Tuesday: Read 1 Samuel 3:1-21
Verse 7 tells us Samuel did not know it was the Lord calling because “the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” Accordingly, he did not recognize His voice. We identify God’s voice when we have an intimate and personal relationship with Him. This close relationship comes from spending time with Him in His Word and prayer.
Verse 15 says that Samuel was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had spoken. Yet, Eli obeyed God despite being fearful. Are you faithful to deliver God’s message of salvation even when intimidated?
Wednesday: Read 1 Samuel 4:1-11
The Israelites tried to use the ark of the covenant as a good luck charm to protect them from the Philistines in battle. Victories come through a continual relationship with Jesus Christ, living in complete surrender, walking in obedience, and honoring God. What can we learn from the Israelites?
Thursday: Read 1 Samuel 4:1-22
What happens when we live in spiritual darkness as the Israelites did? We see time after time God use tragedy to open spiritual eyes. As Pastor Marshall said, turn to God now, and ask for His mercy to open your spiritual eyes without suffering.
Friday: Read 1 Samuel 5 & 6