A Generation Ready to Honor His Word

Two posts ago I discussed how God has a ready plan to raise up a faithful generation in the midst of an unfaithful one. But the question is, by what means does God do this? The 3rd chapter of 1 Samuel answers that question:

1 Samuel 3:1–5 (ESV) Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!”5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

Eli's house is in disarray, the Temple is a place of fornication and greed, the nation is flooded with immorality and civil war (see the end of Judges). The situation in Israel at the time of Samuel's calling is dire. Extremely dire. The narrative sums up the reason for the terrible condition of the nation: "the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision."

The Proverbs says,
Proverbs 29:18 (ESV) Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

When we do not listen to God's Word, we fail miserably. This goes for individuals and people.  If you are going to live well, you need a word from the Lord. You need a vision from Him about your life and future.

What was the cause of great scientific discovery and expansion into the new world? It was in large part the fruit of the Reformation - a movement rooted in the idea that God's Word belonged to the common man. What led to the emancipation of slaves and the idea of a free nation such as America? It was the Word of God burning in the hearts of people who believed what God said on the first page, that man and woman bear His image. What brings billions of people into the experience of eternal life? It is the Word of God preached faithfully in a pagan context.

Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Now when God speaks to Samuel, it's about one thing, the priestly line of Eli. And here you see a pattern for the Word of God that will repeat throughout history. The Word of God will come to those God is raising up in order to replace that previous generation that has grown cold and hardened concerning His Word. There have been many dark days of leadership in the movement of Christ. When the Reformation happened, it was fought by ecclesiastical hierarchy. When slavery was being fought, the vile practice was defended by southern ministers holding the Bible! When the missions work of the 20th Century happened (the greatest missionary century of Church history), the "established churches" with white steeples on Main Street were questioning the Word of God. 

What you see in 1 Samuel 3 is God's pattern to replace a generation no longer willing to honor and obey the Word of God with a youthful inexperienced generation (Samuel) who will do more than anyone could imagine. The pattern is laid down here in chapter three and will repeat with Jonathan and Saul and later with David and Saul. Every time those in power have disregarded God's Word and those God empowers believe it! It only requires a matter of time before the disregarders are dispatched and the believers are elevated and established. 

At the end of chapter 3, we see it. Samuel is established as the mouthpiece through which God's Word was heard.
1 Samuel 3:19–21 (ESV) And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Note the phrase, "and let none of his words fall to the ground." This is a way of saying that Samuel's words were taken to heart. How so? Because Samuel heard, believed and honored God's Word. 

Now you may be under some authority which disregards any honor for God. Here's your lesson. Put your trust, hope and time in the living Word of God. Feed on it and it will guide you and empower you, it will fill you and overflow through you. God will see you and establish you. It may take time, but it will happen. Trust His Word, it's the living BREAD from heaven.