1 SamuelSample

Devotional:

Congrats! You have completed 5 straight days of Bible reading. That's awesome! Take a moment and think over the last 5 chapters you have read from 1 Samuel. What are some themes you see? Seriously, stop reading this and ponder for a moment.

Though there are a handful of different themes, I want you to think about the last sentence in the book of judges. Judges 21:25, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Few people are looking to God's guidance in their lives as we enter the book of 1 Samuel, and you see the effects throughout these 5 chapters. Eli is the temple's priest, yet he raised his sons, leaving God out of it. Eli's sons do not care about God, so they defile the temple and abuse their power. Israel does not ask God to fight in their battle in chapter 4. Rather, they bring the Ark of the Covenant, thinking it will fight their battle for them. Over and over again, the nation of God acts independently of Him, not including Him in plans, hopes, family, job, etc. On the flip side, you see Hannah and Samuel being faithful to the Lord and being used in miraculous ways. It is not odd that God does amazing things through those who are faithful and reliant on him.

Looking back at the Word

1. Skim back through these 5 chapters and take note of the characters that bring God into their decisions. How does God interact with those characters? (hint there are only 2)
2. As you look back over these 5 chapters, notice how every other character mentioned does not ask God for anything. They are just following their desires. What is the result of them following their desires?

Questions to Consider:

1. Do you say you are a follower of God but leave him out of your life? Why or why not?
2. Does your relationship with God look more like the nation of Israel "doing what is right in your own eyes," or does it look more like Hannah being completely devoted to God's will? 
3. What is something going on in your own life where you have left God out of, intentionally or unintentionally? How could you start to bring him into it?
4. Whom could you tell about what you have learned this week? Make a plan to do this.

Let's Pray:

Father, you see me and are kind to me. Remind my heart of your grace and power in my life. I confess that I often want things to go my way, and according to my plans. Not my will, but Yours Lord!