[S] 1 Samuel 3:1,10,19-20 --
1Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.
10Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant is listening."
19Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. 20All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.
[O] God called Samuel four times during the period of spiritual famine (v.1). It appears he never learned how to discern God's callings because he did not recognize His voice until Eli taught him to respond to God the fourth time he was called. That was the beginning of a sweet relationship Samuel had with God where he continued to grow in the Lord and the whole Israel confirmed him as a prophet of the Lord (vv.19-20).
Some people say we are currently undergoing a spiritual famine just like the time of Samuel but that does not mean God has shut Himself off completely. He will still find the "Samuels" of our times and calls out to them. Here is the message of hope in the midst of a drought -- God never gives us up, so we shouldn't give up on God either regardless of how the landscape may appear. In fact, this is the time to train myself to recognize the unexpected because my preparation will be the very sign that I have hope in the Lord to speak to me personally.
[A] With the combination of devotions (Life Journaling), prayer, and observation of how God is moving through our small group ministry, train myself to recognize His calling for myself and Pathway to become confirmed workers for God.
[P] Dear God, as You have called Samuel in the midst of spiritual drought, please call on me and my family as Your instrument for the community we live in. Please show Your grace upon us to be faithfully following Your word daily so we won't miss any of Your cues along the way. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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