In 1 Sam 1, we are introduced to Hannah the wife of Elkanah. Hannah prayed to God year after year for a son and promised to give the son back to God for all his days. God gives Hannah a son and at end of chapter 1, Hannah fulfils her vow to the Lord. The boy Samuel was brought to the temple after he was weaned in fulfilment of his mother’s promise to God. Year on year, his mother would visit and bring him a robe – Samuel had been ministering before the Lord for quite some time and wore a linen ephod – the apparel of priests. However, when the Lord spoke to Samuel for the first time, even though Samuel was lying in ‘God’s presence’ (where the ark of the Lord was), ‘we are told that ‘Samuel did not yet know the Lord. The word of God had not yet been made known to him’. Hence, Samuel did not know that it was God speaking to him.
If we looked at Samuel’s physical appearance, it would have been easy to assume that he knew the Lord and walked with Him. Suffice to say then that our knowing God is more than how we appear on the outward. It’s not a function of the amount of time we spend in religious environments or performing religious activities. What God wants, is a personal relationship where He can commune with you and I directly. He wants to share His thoughts, ideas, His mind with you and I so we can be His representation to others. That’s why He stands at the door of our heart and knocks and for anyone who opens their heart, He makes His home there. Is your heart really God’s home where He has control to act as He chooses, or are you simply putting up an appearance? Don’t be quick to respond. Rather I challenge you to think of the liberty you have in your home to do what you will and ask yourself this. Does God have the same liberty with my heart or is he simply a visitor? I pray that your heart truly becomes God’s home and your life becomes a representation of His in Jesus name.
Remain connected,
Bolaji Ajayi
And the word became flesh 