Be Still and Know – 1 Samuel 3

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!  Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

Samson judged Israel for twenty years, beginning God’s process of freeing Israel from the cruel grip of the Philistines.  Although Samson had been given phenomenal strength through his Nazirite vows, he did not seem to take his call from God very seriously until the very end of his life.  Most of the time he lived on the edge, preferring to linger near temptation rather than to seek the quiet presence and direction of God. 

It was during Samson’s time that God called the child, Samuel, to be a prophet.  Samuel was serving under Eli, the head priest, at the Lord’s tabernacle in Shiloh.  Samuel had been dedicated to God by his mother, Hannah, and she kept true to her vow.  Through Samuel, God would further the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines.  He would also anoint David as king, establishing an eternal throne on which Jesus Christ will one day reign over the entire earth.

Samuel’s call began one still night, when God spoke out to him as he lay on his bed.

³ …before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, ⁴ the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” 1 Samuel 3:3 (NKJV)

The young child had been helping Eli with priestly duties, which included taking care of the tabernacle, the home of the ark of God.  The ark had been built under Moses in the desert under directions given by God, and held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments.  At the time, prior to the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, God chose to reside in this holy tabernacle, with His presence at the mercy seat above the ark.  Today, the Spirit of God resides in the hearts of believers throughout the world.

All was quiet as Samuel lay down in the tabernacle.  He was able to hear God’s gentle voice as He called to him by name.

There is no greater source of peace than being still and focusing on our loving God.  Because of His Holy Spirit, we can do this at any time or in any place that we choose.  Our problems and challenges of the day begin to melt away in His presence, and even our most serious burdens are lifted from us by our heavenly King, Jesus Christ.  As we surrender ourselves and our issues over to the care of His Spirit, we receive blessing upon blessing.  He brings healing, wholeness, forgiveness, and joy to our lives so that we can reach out to others to comfort them in their own times of trouble and trial.

Jesus invites us to give all our burdens to Him, both the ones that surround us, and those that are carried deeply within our hearts.

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

Reflection

One of the hardest things to schedule time for in our day is the time to be still in the presence of God. 

Upon awakening, we can get re-centered to allow God to restore His rightful place in our hearts.

Father God, You know the struggles that lie ahead of us. May they become lighter under Your hand. Help us to be more aware of You working around us to bring love and comfort so that we may extend the same to others in need. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Like Samuel, God knows your name.  He is gently calling us to follow Him.