Week 3 Day 3

Day 3	GOD STEPS IN
	"And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth." 1 Sam. 3:10
	The only people Christ condemned were the hypocrites, Matt. 23:13-15, and his words are frighteningly powerful. Here were people claiming to be leaders and rulers of the church shutting the Kingdom of Heaven in men's faces with wrong teaching, winding rules and regulations around God's word and making ordinary people hate religion for its harsh demands. All they really wanted was power, adulation and a "good life". Eli's sons were even worse. First Samuel 2:12 says, "... the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord." Yet in spite of this their father Eli allowed them to lead Israel in worship and sacrifices. How could people understand God's love hidden by the deliberate wickedness of men who were supposed to represent him? No wonder God passed judgement on Eli and his house (1 Sam. 3:2-14). We saw yesterday how because of one woman's faithfulness God was already preparing to replace these wicked men and when Samuel was only a boy God called him and revealed what he would do.
	Are we called to serve God in the same sort of way as Samuel? Look up Jesus' words to his disciples in John 15:16 and the story he told in Matt. 22:1-14 with its comment about calling.
	Father in Heaven, give me grace not only to hear your call but also to be one of the chosen.

Day 3