Simplicity in a story...

One of my favourite books in the bible is 1 Samuel 3, not because it's short but because of how simple it is, yet packed full of biblical examples of what we should be like and realism.

Lying in bed Samuel hears a voice, not only does he respond, he actually gets up. How is that in anyway amazing?

Well, to me it shows that he could be bothered to get up! So much of our lives are consumed by apathy and laziness (I know I fall victim to this), if someone called my name I think I'd probably roll over and continue sleeping! It also shows that we need to be continually responsive and continually alert to what God is saying to us just as Samuel was, because just as Samuel proves, you never know when and what God is going to speak to you.

And then later on it all 'pays off' when v19 says "As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and everything Samuel said was wise and helpful". So when we listen to God, He blesses us, just as He did with Samuel. Let's face it, what an awesome thing to have said about you "everything Samuel said was wise and helpful" I'd love it if everything I said was likewise, 'cos I'm pretty sure most of the time I speak rubbish.

Amazing what a simple story can teach us and that it's those stories that so often we can glance over and not take notice. That's why I love the Bible, it's so much more than just words, it's got so much more depth to it.