A Turnaround for God's People

"The boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent." - 1 Samuel 3:1 NASB

For many in Israel, God seemed merely a part of Israel's distant history. They had never heard His voice or sensed His involvement in their lives. But through Samuel everything changed.
This process began when Samuel was just a boy. From early childhood, he spent his life in the Temple, where he entered a new dimension--learning to hear the voice of God. He realized God hadn't changed: He was real, His Word was relevant, He had plans for Israel and each individual, and He was ready to direct them, protect them, and bless them.
Today, many never hear God's voice. They assume that faith is irrelevant or misguided. To them, God is dead--a relic of history. Others have a religion of forms and rituals: They know about God, but don't have a personal relationship with Him.
Just as in the time of Samuel, God is ready to speak to people in our time--to turn around our situations and solve our problems. But who will hear His voice?
He looks for people who will develop a personal relationship with Him and spend time with Him. He seeks people who know His Word and make it part of their daily lives, believing that it's "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
Are you ready to hear God's voice? Start by spending more time in His Presence. Develop a more intimate relationship with Him. Fill your life with the Scriptures, and put them into practice. As you pray, talk with Him and listen.
Seek to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you and direct your steps. Let Him turn around your life and change other lives for Christ through you!


Prayer
Father, I want a more intimate relationship with You. Speak to me through Your Word. Fill me anew with Your Spirit. Use me to impact lives for Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Extended Reading
1 Samuel 3