January 15, 2024 

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 37:15-28; Romans 6:1-23

And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.” (1 Samuel 3:17–18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Eli was a priest of the Lord with worthless sons which was a problem because his sons were supposed to become priests of God. Previously, God has already spoken judgment unto Eli’s sons, declaring they will die.  And yet, when a new message from God comes, Eli still seeks it out. This new message is likely more judgment from God upon Eli’s house and yet he demands that Samuel tell him. Eli, in faithfulness, declares, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” He does not shy away from the death sentence for his sons and his family. It is still the Word of God. Eli does not joyfully receive this news from Samuel, but he faithfully receives the word and responds in trust, “Thy will be done, O Lord.”

It is a more natural response to say, “Thy will be done,” when things are going well for us. It seems, in that moment, that God’s will aligns with our will. Everything is okay.  It is a different experience to say “Thy will be done,” when things are going poorly for us. God’s will is not aligning with our will, our plan, our view of how things should go. It does not feel good to see loved ones suffer and die and still pray, “Thy will be done.” Eli gives us an image to ponder. His children will die at the hands of God and yet, this man does not flee God’s word. Eli knows his sons would make sorry examples of priests for God; he knows they deserve this punishment, but what father would punctuate the death of his son with, “Let God do what seems good to him”? 

Eli is faithful. He submits to the Lord in all things, even in the death of his sons. This is not out of Eli’s own ability but out of faith. This faith is given to him by God. This faith is given to you by God. Faith in the promises of God preserves us and enables us to trust that our Lord’s will is done out of love. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

From me this is not hidden, yet I am not afraid; I leave my cares, as bidden, to whom my vows are paid. Though life from me be taken and everything I own, I trust in You unshaken and cleave to You alone. (LSB 724:7)

-Deaconess Emma Heinz is the Registrar for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

The Lutheran Reader’s Bible helps you develop a habit of devotion and Bible reading so you can slowly but intentionally understand and grow in God’s Word. Through introductions to the sixty-six books of the Bible, guided reading plans, and more, this Bible builds your confidence to study Scripture on your own.