READING:
One-year plan: 1 Samuel 1-4
Two-year plan: Psalms 23-25, Romans 4:1-12
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I’m thinking about God’s calling today. I realize there are folks who debate what “calling” might be, but it’s tough to deny God’s intentionally calling out to young Samuel in today’s reading. Four times the Lord called out Samuel until he understood and responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam 3:10). More than one writer has noted that Samuel’s responses of “Here I am” both reflect and “echo the obedient responses of the patriarchs and Moses (Gen 22:1, 11; 31:11; 46:2; Exod 3:4).”*
I think about calling today also because I’m about one week away from my 45th anniversary of full-time ministry (April 1). On the day I became a believer, I know without question that I sensed in my heart and mind these words: “I want you to preach my word.” The words were quite amazing to me for several reasons: (1) no one in my family was a believer, so no one that I know was praying for me to be a preacher; (2) because I was not raised in a Christian home, I didn’t know there was such a thing as a call to preach; and (3) I was so new in my faith I knew little about the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives. I could not deny that calling because nothing in my background gave me reason to “make up” such an event.
I realize my calling is different from others. I can tell you, though, that I’m grateful God loves me so much that He called me with clarity and power. Today, I always want to be listening for His voice through His Word, His Spirit, and His people.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How have you sensed God’s voice in your life?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, I am grateful You make Yourself known to us.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: 1 Samuel 5-10
Two-year plan: Psalms 26-29, Romans 4:13-5:5
MEMORIZATION VERSE (March 16-31):
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17)
* Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Sa 3:4). Lexham Press.