Stop and Listen

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 9

Scripture Focus: Stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God. (1 Samuel 9.27)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever tried to converse with someone who wasn’t paying attention to you? I’ve visited in homes and hospitals where the person I have come to see doesn’t turn off the TV. It’s a very frustrating experience!

Saul had to stop what he was doing, in order to hear the Word of God. Samuel wasn’t about to tell Saul this important message from God, while Saul was otherwise occupied. We need to stop and listen. It will take intentional effort and investment of time, but it is the only way for God to make known to us his Word.

Saul's mission was not yet complete. But, he was told to “stop here yourself for a while.” Saul’s family was waiting to hear from him. But, he was told to “stop here yourself for a while.” Saul had other obligations to see about. But, he was told to “stop here yourself for a while.” Saul had a long way to travel. But, he was told to “stop here yourself for a while.”

Saul had been awakened by the prophet to hear the Word of God. We must wake ourselves up. It is your responsibility and mine to rub the sleep from our eyes to read our Bibles. There were lots of other things Saul could have been doing, but in order to hear the Word of God, he needed to stop for a while. The same is true for you and me. God desires to make known the Word of God to us, but we must be willing to stop long enough to hear it!

Prayer: Lord, I over-schedule my day and overstuff my mind. Help me to stop and listen. Reveal your Word to me, I pray. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78.1-8

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, 6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; 8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.