I had another of one those mornings that while in my devotions, God spoke so directly to my heart. I have to say that over the past couple of weeks, I have been overwhelmed and anxious. My heart can barely take in the times that we are living in. Times when evil is called good, and good is called evil.
It has been such a weighty thing on my heart, that I am afraid to admit that I lost confidence that God was still in control and sitting on His throne. I know, I know. As a child of the most High God, I should never lose confidence in my Father, but I had, as the only the thing I can see is evil seemingly winning.
As I was reading in Scripture this morning, I was in 1 Samuel 3. This chapter tells the story of the call of Samuel. At this point in scripture, Samuel is but a child and really doesn't have an understanding of God. God calls him, and when Samuel finally realizes who is calling him, he is given a message. Not a message of good news, but a message of judgement. The recipient? Eli, the High Priest, who was Samuel's teacher and mentor! Previously God had pronounced judgement upon Eli's sons and his house for the contempt that Eli's sons showed toward God, and Eli's refusal to deal with his sons for their sin. (1 Samuel 2:27-36).
God gives the message and to Samuel, and with a very heavy heart Samuel relays the message to Eli, confirming God's judgement on his house. His response is what caught my attention. In 1 Samuel 3:18 it is written: Then Eli said, "He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes." Wait, what?!! At first I wondered how Eli could be so accepting of the decree of the Lord. He was willingly accepting his fate? No charges against God? No pleading for mercy? What?!!
Then the AHA moment came. Eli was acknowledging God as Sovereign. He was acknowledging that God was good, and that whatever God thought was best, then so be it. In this moment, I realized Eli spoke those words with a great attitude of humility. He knew he had sinned. He knew that his sin in light of God's holiness was punishable and that the punishment that had been pronounced on his family line was just. He also knew and believed in God's goodness. His goodness would always triumph over evil and because Eli knew God, he would surrender it to God and trust in that goodness.
My heart has been overwhelmed by this verse. God is Sovereign. Period. He is the Lord and His goodness will not allow evil to triumph. So all the anxiety and fear that I have harbored in my heart over the past couple of weeks, departed this morning. God is in control. I can trust that He is going to do whatever is good in his sight. For His namesake.
These words of Eli are really words of total surrender to God in everything in our life. If you are struggling, take heart and be encouraged! God sees all, knows all, and He is in absolute control of your life. Instead of murmuring and complaining, or trying to manipulate and scheme to get what you think you need, just remind yourself of these words that were spoken by Eli: "He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes." If you choose to believe this no matter the circumstances, peace that passes all understanding will enter your heart and give you the ability to continue running the race! Lots of love to you all!
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