Opus 2024-222: God at Work

Recently I was writing about what it means to be good and how God awards those that are good.  At times I have contemplated how we are born in sin, and yet some people seem to be seeking righteousness, and others are seeking evil.  It’s a very complicated situation, and some people find it difficult to deal with.  I think that I have always been inclined toward being a child of God and yet it was not possible in my own strength.

How does this work? I think I found some clues in the Old Testament.

1 Samuel 3:7-10 (KJV) 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Noticed that it specifically says that Samuel did not know the Lord, but there is that key word “yet”.  At this point, Samuel was just serving in the temple.  He was going through the motions.  But it is clear from the following verses that God was reaching out and speaking to him.  We would call this prevenient Grace.  It’s a word, or term, used to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives before we are believers.

Noticed that Samuel could hear God speaking to him.  He just did not know who God was.  He did not know how to respond.  Eli had to share with him the process.  In the same way, the Holy Spirit speaks to us, maybe not audibly, but He definitely speaks to us.  The big question is, “Are we willing to listen?”  An even bigger question is are we willing to respond.

Do me and yourself a favor.  Think about it.

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