Christ Church Daily Devotion May 14 2024

The Daily Devotion for May 14, 2024 is about Samuel and how he learned to listen for God's voice. Samuel was confused at first, thinking it was his mentor Eli calling him. But Eli realized it was God trying to get Samuel's attention. The message emphasizes the importance of listening for God in a noisy world and being ready to obey. God speaks to us through creation, His Word, mentors, life situations, and the Holy Spirit. The devotion encourages us to seek God's leading and pray for His direction in our lives. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for May 14, 2024. Today we will be reading from 1 Samuel chapter 3, verses 1 through 10. The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare. There were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out. And Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, Samuel. Samuel answered, Here I am. And he ran to Eli and said, Here I am, you called me? But Eli said, I did not call. Go back and lie down. So he went back and lied down. Again the Lord called Samuel. And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, Here I am, you called me? My son, Eli said, I did not call. Go back and lie down. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord. The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, Samuel. And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, Here I am, you called me? Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, Go and lie down. And if he calls you, say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. So Samuel went to lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times. Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak, for your servant is listening. Samuel was confused. He heard a voice and thought it was his mentor, Eli, calling for him. He kept going to Eli's room, and Eli realized that the voice was God trying to get Samuel's attention. Listening for God is an important life skill, and God is not silent. We live in a noisy culture that often speaks in ways that are contrary to God's voice. It can be difficult to hear God if we are more in tune with the voice of this world. As we listen for God, we will be more in tune with the leading in our lives. Eli mentored Samuel by teaching him how to respond to God's voice. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. In other words, I am ready to hear what you have to say, and I am ready to obey. God speaks to us in many ways. He speaks through creation, giving testimony to the faithless and creativity. He speaks through His Word, where we come to understand His salvation and purpose for us. He speaks through His wise mentors in our lives. He speaks through life situations, opening and closing doors. God speaks by His Holy Spirit, equipping us with gifts and passions to use for service in His kingdom. How are you experiencing God's leading in your life? Are you listening attentively for God's voice? Your personal worship option today. Lord, make us a people who are in tune with your voice. Let us seek your leading throughout our life. Equip us to follow your direction, we pray. In Jesus' name, amen.