DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR AUGUST 13, 2023 (DILIGENT MENTORING)

TOPIC : DILIGENT MENTORING

Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (KJV)

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

KEY VERSE: “Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” – (1 Samuel 3:9)

MESSAGE

Samuel had been dedicated to God even before his birth. He obeyed his parents when he was made to go and stay with Eli, the high priest. He was a humble and faithful son and servant. His mother played her part in bringing young Samuel up. She frequently prayed for him and provided for his needs. Samuel did not allow himself to be negatively influenced by the bad attitudes of Eli’s two sons – Hophni and Phinehas. His life was like a lily in the mire. He feared God even as a child and had willingness to listen to and obey His voice. However, when God’s voice directly came to him, he did not recognise it until Eli guided and counselled him.

God called Samuel while he was living with Eli the aged priest, whose sight had become dim, both physically and spiritually. At this time, Samuel was asleep at night when the Lord called him. Thrice, he got up and went to Eli believing that he had called him. However, Eli said he did not send for him. On the third occasion, Eli realised that it must be God calling the young boy. He then counselled Samuel on how to respond if the call came again.

The older and the more spiritually mature members of the body of Christ owe it a duty to mentor and guide the young believers. Christian leaders should diligently teach and train believers on how to walk profitably with God. We should not shun to declare the whole counsel of the Lord to younger believers as this is the only way to ensure continuity of the gospel work.

Like Hannah, Christian parents should be the first mentors of their children, training them up in the way they should go, so that when they are old, they will not depart from it.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Be a destiny helper and not a discouraging minister.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Job 1-5

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM) written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi. It is an extraction of God’s Word designed to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.