“And she said, ‘The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.'” 1 Samuel 4:22
Dear Ones:
God is ALWAYS previous, and always provides in His mercy and grace, for those who are His. He even provides for those who are not His, for “He sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt. 5:45) Such was the case in the history of Israel at the time of Samuel. Scripture tells us that at the time when Samuel was a small child, the spiritual condition of the people of Israel was at a very low ebb. The “word of the Lord” (3:1), which was the means by which God spoke and revealed Himself to the nation, was very rare. Thus the response of faith by the people was minimal. There would come a time when the “lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord,” (v.3) that symbol of His manifest presence. But matters would reach their lowest point when, in battle with the Philistines, and their loss to them, the ark of God would be taken. This ark had always been a symbol of God’s commitment to Israel of His covenant blessing. However, Israel had put herself in a position where God could not bless her, as she had turned away from Him. It was at the time when one of the son’s wives was giving birth at the time of the ark being taken, that this woman would declare: “The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.” (1 Sam. 4:22) Indeed, it would be true to a certain extent that the glory, that revelation of the blessed presence and provision of God, would occur. But in the midst of the death of Eli the high priest, and his two sons, and the ark being taken, there was a strain of hope that God had provided for Israel. It was a thread so strong and powerful, that the resounding affects would be known in fullest measure with the coming of David the king, his reign, and the subsequent coming of the Christ, or Messiah.
What characterized this “thread of hope?” It was first revealed in the heart of a grieving mother who was determined to meet God, believing God to meet her in her need. Out of that cry to God was born a child, who would be consecrated to God, and who, at a very young age, would be called of God to again restore in some measure the “vision” of God by the “word of God.” Before the ark of God was taken, we see that the Lord was using Samuel to do just this, for we read: “And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh, BY THE WORD OF GOD.” (3:21) With the impending judgement of God coming upon Israel, because of her neglect, and rejection, of Him, God would provide a “door of hope,” the revelation of Himself in this dark hour.
From the inception of the church, that living body of Christ, and the history of that church up until this day, she has always lived in an atmosphere of godlessness. However, as the darkness was not able to overcome Christ, the eternal light, so the testimony of His life has always been revealed in some measure in Christ’s bride. The question that we must ask ourselves is this: “Does the God of Samuel reveal Himself to me by His word?” And then, “Does God consequently reveal Himself through my life to others, as light which cannot be overcome, in this world that opposes Him?” When Samuel was a small boy, the Lord called to him three times, by his name. When Eli realized that it was the Lord speaking to him, he told him to answer the Lord in this manner: “Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” (3:9) Herein lies the key to hearing His voice, in His word, believing Him to fulfill all that He declares.
Dear Father, and Lord Jesus, speak to our hearts by Thy Spirit according to Your word. Make us to hear Thy voice, declaring, “This is the way; walk ye in it.” Accomplish in and through us all Your blessed desire, will, and purpose…for Your glory. We thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad