March 20, 2026 - 1 Samuel 3-6

Important matters going on, here:  Eli and his sons, the ark and the Philistines, etc.  God was about to act, and he called, “’Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’ Then the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle’” (3:10-11).  Now, the specific thing God was about to do was to judge Eli and his sons and to raised up Samuel.  The specifics are important but I am struck, especially as we walk around Boston seeing so much history and recalling so many events and historical figures, by the fact that God is, and always has been and always will be, active in his world and bringing about his purposes.  Living with the tensions of this fallen world, we also live with the certainty that God is on his throne and ruling wisely and well.

My Jesus, as Thou wilt!

O may Thy will be mine!

Into Thy hand of love

I would my all resign.

Through sorrow or thro’ joy,

Conduct me as Thine own;

And help me still to say,

“My Lord, Thy will be done.”   -- Benjamin Schmolck (c. 1704)