I Samuel 1-3

Just in these first 3 chapters of I Samuel there are so many instances of earnest seeking of God's word through prayer and petition, from Hannah, continuous worship by Elkanah and Hannah, and the faithfulness of the prophet Samuel to speak the word of the LORD to all Israel. There is a relationship between YAHWEH and His people through the means of speaking and listening, this seems to be facilitated through pure worship and pursuit of God Himself through genuine sacrificial love for YAHWEH. Hannah dedicates the son she had not conceived yet to the service of the LORD, committing Samuel to a Nazarite vow of consecration unto the LORD. The text in I Samuel 1:19 indicates that the LORD 'remembered' Hannah and allowed her to conceive, this remembering is a response suggesting that YAHWEH listens and speaks through deeds as there is no indication the vocal word of the LORD was audibly heard by either Elkanah or Hannah. This is significant because in chapter 3 it is written:

I Samuel 3:1 (NKJV) "And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation."

This is concerning and indicative of spiritual decline. When the word of God and revelation are infrequent and marked by quietness there is spiritual blindness that pairs with the lack of vision and direction, this is demonstrated in the physical blindness of Eli because of his passivity and allowance of his wicked sons to walk corrupt ways in the tabernacle of the LORD. The beauty of God's sovereignty is that he reveals Himself to those he chooses and because Samuel was consecrated to the LORD, seeking first righteousness and proved to be available to listen to the LORD, the LORD was with Samuel and appeared again in the tabernacle at Shiloh revealing Himself and His word to Samuel. This is a demonstration of faithful practice and walk before God that I strive to model: walking so closely with God with a conviction for righteousness and purity with the aim to love the LORD with all my heart - not for what I can receive from Him but for the sake of loving Him because of His inherent goodness. 

"All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh I will sing of the goodness of God
O I will sing of the goodness of God"

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