The Word of the Lord

Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1

Quotes for Reflection

Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love
Lord, let not our souls be busy inns that have no room for thee or thine,
But quiet homes of prayer and praise, where thou mayest find fit company,
Where the needful cares of life are wisely ordered and put away,
And wide, sweet spaces kept for thee; where holy thoughts pass up and down
And fervent longings watch and wait thy coming.

Eugene Peterson, Eat this Book
Liturgy preserves and presents the Holy Scriptures in the context of the worshipping and obeying community of Christians who are at the center of everything God has done, is doing, and will do. The liturgy won’t let us go off alone with our Bibles, or self-select a few friends for Bible study and let it go at that.

Augustine, Confessions
A body by its weight tends to move towards its proper place. The weight’s movement is not necessarily downwards, but to its appropriate position: fire tends to move upwards, a stone downwards. They are acted on by their respective weights; they seek their own place. Oil poured under water is drawn up to the surface on top of the water. Water poured on top of oil sinks below the oil. They are acted on by their respective densities, they seek their own place. Things which are not in their intended position are restless. Once they are in their ordered position, they are at rest.

Application Questions

1. What do we learn from Samuel’s experience in the temple about hearing from the Lord?

2. How does the gospel give us the confidence that we too can hear from the Lord?

3. How has God been speaking to you and how does that change a current trajectory?