From: May 7, 2025
“Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod.” (1 Samuel 2:18 ESV).
Even as a young boy, Samuel was serving in the tabernacle, wearing a linen ephod—the garment of a priest. This verse highlights how unique Samuel was, especially when we see him in contrast to Eli’s corrupt sons. Samuel had been miraculously born in response to Hannah’s desperate prayer. She had promised to dedicate him wholly to the Lord, and God honored her faith. Samuel didn’t just grow up in the house of God; he grew in faithfulness to God. Remarkably, his life would come to reflect all three great offices later fulfilled in Jesus Christ—he was a prophet who spoke God’s word, a priest who ministered in God’s house, and a judge, who functioned like a king, leading Israel before the monarchy began.
Samuel’s life points us forward to Jesus, the true and greater Prophet, Priest, and King. Like Samuel, Jesus was miraculously born, dedicated from birth, and faithfully served His Father all His life. But unlike Samuel, Jesus was not just a type—He is the fulfillment. He is the perfect Prophet who reveals God, the sinless High Priest who offered Himself, and the eternal King who rules with righteousness. When we read about Samuel’s devotion from childhood, it challenges us to look to Christ and follow Him faithfully. It also reminds us that God often works through the small, the young, and the overlooked to point to something far greater. Let us dedicate ourselves—and the next generation—to the Lord, knowing that God still raises up faithful servants to point others to Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the life of Samuel and how it prepares our hearts to see Jesus more clearly. As we reflect on Samuel’s faithful service from childhood, we are reminded of the greater faithfulness of Your Son. Help us fix our eyes on Him. May we serve You with the same devotion and raise up others to do the same. Use our lives to point people to Jesus, in whom all Your promises are fulfilled. In His name we pray, amen.
From: May 7, 2024
‘But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord”‘ (1 Samuel 1:15 ESV).
Hannah was childless. At her family’s annual visit to the Tabernacle at Shiloh to worship and bring offerings, she was so stricken with grief that she could only mouth the words to her prayers. Her lips moved, but no sound came forth. She cried out from her heart that the Lord would give her a son. She promised to give him back to the Lord all the days of his life, if only she might bear a male child.
Eli, the priest, was sitting at the door of the Tabernacle watching Hannah. He saw her lips moving without sound and wrongly assumed that she was drunk. He admonished her to put away her wine. But Hannah corrected him, explaining that what he had seen was not the result of wine being poured in, but from the sorrow in her soul being poured out. So, Eli blessed her, asking the Lord to grant her petition.
Have you seen one like Hannah at your worship services or small group meetings? Don’t be like Eli and assume that you know what motivates their behavior. Wouldn’t it be better to ask what troubles her and offer to pray with her first? Eli ultimately makes it right. But only because of Hannah’s humility in answering.
Would those who are hurting like Hannah find a place of blessing and support in your church?
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us not to judge others according to their outward appearance or behavior. For only You know the condition of their souls. Instead, help us to offer blessing and real help in the name of Your Son, Jesus. For it’s in His name that we pray, amen.
From: May 7, 2023
‘So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does”‘ (John 5:17 NLT).
Jesus described His activity as being inspired by and empowered by the Father. He did nothing by himself. He spoke and moved as the Father did. There is a great principle on how to live the abiding life on display here. Rather than asking God to join us in our plans, we can begin to look and ask what God is already doing and then join Him in His work.
This kind of following means listening and looking before speaking and acting. When we look to join the Father in His work, we begin to follow as Christ did, and as His body, which is the church, should. This life relies on prayer and the Spirit’s power, which is always greater than our own plans and efforts.
PRAYER: Our Father, allow us to see where you are already at work in our world today. Show us how to join you there. Empower us to do that which you’ve planned for us to do. Help us to rely on you for all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 7, 2016
Jesus described His practice of first looking to see what the Father was doing and then joining Him in His work. This is a great spiritual principle. Rather than asking God to join us in our plans, we can begin to look and ask what God is already doing, and then join Him in His work. This kind of following means listening and looking before speaking and acting. When we look to join the Father in His work, we begin to follow as Christ did, and as His body, which is the church, should.