Today is July 12.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from 1st Samuel, chapter 3.  
 

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel.  
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”  
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”  
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 
  

There are so many things to notice in this story. First, there were not many visions from the Lord. It was a desert time. Second, the boy Samuel heard the voice of God before, scripture says, Samuel even knew the Lord! Third, Eli discerned the Lord’s voice for Samuel, and taught Samuel how to respond. What else did you notice in the first reading of the story? 
  
As you listen again, pay close attention, and ask God to focus you on one phrase.  
  
The two phrases that stand out to me are ‘ Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see…’ and ‘Samuel did not yet know the Lord…’ I’m struck that in a passage about God revealing himself – during a time of ‘not many visions’ – God reveals himself to an old man with failing vision, and a young man who didn’t yet know the Lord. I love how God’s revelations often come like this – in places where He’s least expected, to people who are least prepared for it. End your time of prayer thinking about the phrases that stood out to you, and what God is speaking to you today.  
 
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