God honors those who fear Him

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 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.” And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. (1 Samuel 3:10–21)

This event took place while Samuel was still a boy. I can’t imagine having the courage to tell the high priest what God told him, but he did. Eli knew his error with his sons and his reply indicates he’d learned his lesson. Nevertheless, this man seemed to accept his fate.

One commentary says that if a believer fails and yet repents from his sin, forgiveness is there, but so might be a dreaded consequence. Eli submitted to what seems good to God. I’m not sure I’d have the courage to do that either. He lost every good thing he had. 

However, the law indicates that sin can be deliberate and with awareness, or unintentional. The OT says: “Then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there.” (Numbers 35:11) Since this provision was made for what we now call manslaughter, this indicates God looks at the heart as much as He sees the deed. Did Eli repent? Or did he simply accept this consequence of failing to discipline his sons? A verse from Solomon’s proverbs says:

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. (Proverbs 21:27)

As a Christian with knowledge of God's love and mercy, this kindness tends to be our focus, yet even the NT says these things: 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, (Philippians 2:12)
Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. (Colossians 3:22)
As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. (1 Timothy 5:20)
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)

Eli sinned by giving his sons no rebuke for ignoring God rather than giving Him respect, honor, reverence — and paid the price.

Jesus, honoring You is not only right, but logical. I can say, with thousands of angels, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)

Uninvited guests

A devastating and uninvited dream woke me this morning. From this dream, I had the impression that God was pushing me to deal with an issue that I keep pushing aside. 

As I read today’s devotional, I wondered if that was what was happening when the prophet Daniel was a slave in Babylon. He had become known for interpreting dreams and played an important role in the lives of the three heads of state who ruled while he was alive. 

The second of the three, King Belshazzar, “made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.” (Daniel 5:1) During the course of the evening, an uninvited guest appeared in the form of a human hand that wrote on the wall. The king was terrified. Daniel was brought in to determine the meaning of this. It turned out to be bad news for this king. He refused to humble his heart and died that same night.  

Daniel was skilled at interpreting dreams and visions because God gave this ability to him. Over the years, most of my dreams have not required interpretation. They were silly mixed up reflections of being too busy (or as my dad used to say, eating too much pizza). Some cause me to wake up laughing. A few, like last night, cause me to wake up in great emotional distress. 

Those dreams are seldom about my own actions but about my reactions to what someone else is doing. While I can talk to that other person (either in the dream or in real time) I cannot make or manipulate a change in their lives. I can only deal with my own life. 

However for the most part, I don’t have much success changing myself either. I can want to change. I can decide to, determine to, make vows and promises, and try harder, but changes of that sort do not last. God (and life) convince me that only the Holy Spirit can work permanent changes. 

Yet that does not mean I can sit back and wait to be zapped. My responsibilities include…

… confessing sin. This is admitting I need change. (1 John 1:9)

… obeying where and when I can. (Philippians 2:12)

… prayer for grace and strength as I realize my weakness and inability. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

… being honest to others about my failures, needs, and fears. (James 5:16)

… saying no to temptation and sin. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Failure to do any of these things brings a crash. Sometimes I crash and hurt other people. If I push aside all that I can and should do, the very least it can do is give me bad dreams or cause someone else to have nightmares.