"Be still, and know that I am God!" (Psa. 46: 10a, NRSV)

 

1Sam. 3: 1--10

In those days the word of the LORD was rare; prophecy was not widespread. (1b)  Is this also an indictment of the Church today? Has there been a prophet since Luther? In the last century, respected Christian expositors [1] went to great lengths to explain the dearth: the age of prophecy ceased with John the Baptist, or Jesus, or Paul. It makes me wonder what they thought prophecy is, and whether or not they considered their own preaching as the word of the LORD.

 

The Apostle Paul cites prophecy as a spiritual gift (Rom. 12: 6;  1Cor. 12: 10) and also assigns a higher value to it than some of the other gifts (1Cor. 14: 5, e.g.).  Now, if we dare to accept the notion that Paul was speaking the word of the LORD, then we must conclude that prophecy is to be a continuing occurrence in God's economy, and therefore ought to be present and active in the Church at all times.

 

The LORD called Samuel again, a third time, and he rose and went to Eli and said, AHere I am; you called me.@  Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the boy. (8)  As the pastor of a congregation, the spiritual leader of a community, how often does one of those in the service of the LORD (1) come to you, saying, in effect, AHere I am; you called me.@?  If that is a rarity, then perhaps this Scripture invites you to a comparison of your ministry with that of the priest Eli.

 

Or it might be a reflection on your congregants, and the Scripture is urging them to become more like the young Samuel.

 

When someone does knock on your study door, asking, "What do you want me to do?", how do your respond?  "Well, the junior-high class needs a teacher."  "How about helping out with the stewardship campaign?"  "The board needs people for the committees."  All of which are good suggestions.  But reflect on Eli's reply to Samuel: AGo lie down.A (9)

 

If we want to hear the word of the LORD, then we need to stop rushing around doing things, to cease thinking about our options, to stop making plans.  AGo lie down.A  Let our busy minds slow down, relax, release their anxieties and hopes, and become quiet and open to receive God's instruction.

 

AIf you are called again, say....A (9)  Wait.  Do not rush things, praying for God to speak, as sincere and virtuous a hope as that may be.  Wait, lie down, be still.  Then, AIf you are called again,A respond.  It is not our place to plead to hear God's voice, much less to tell God to speak.  We are called to wait, and to respond when and if spoken to.

 

And Samuel went to his place and lay down. (9)  Nine simple words which are, with a little context, sufficient basis for a sermon.

 

The LORD came, and stood there, and [2] called as before: ASamuel! Samuel!@ (10a)  When God wants to converse with you, God does not remain beyond the stars, up in heaven, far away and remote.  Rather, the LORD comes to you, to where you are lying down, being still and receptive.  And God stands there; this is no peek-a-boo fly-by; God comes and God is present when God speaks, and God calls you by name.  Good reason to AGo lie down.A

 

Psalm 139: 1--6

·        When I sit down or stand up You know it;

                You discern my thoughts from afar.

            You observe my walking and reclining,

                and are familiar with all my ways.

            There is not a word on my tongue

                but that You, O LORD, know it well.

            You hedge me before and behind;

                You lay Your hand upon me. (2-5)

God comes and God is present when God speaks, and God calls you by name.  Good reason to AGo lie down.A

 

1Cor. 6: 12--20

           

The story of Elijah's ascension [3] provides a good example of potential distraction; here we easily get preoccupied with the sexual theme and miss the gems of wisdom hidden within.  But anyone who attaches himself to the Lord is one spirit with him. (17)  Should the sexual argument determine how we are to read these words, or should this verse inform our interpretation of the sex discussion?

 

But anyone who attaches himself to the Lord is one spirit with him.  I was struck by the agency implied here; this rendering stresses the believer's freedom and responsibility in making the decision to believe, which produces a resultant benefit.  The NIV and NNAS agree with this reading; the KJV, NRSV and NAB use a passive verb form, so the active agent of union is not explicit; it could be either the believer or God.  But this is another possible distraction; the significant fact is our union with God in one spirit.

 

Do you not realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you and whom you received from God? (19)  This truth follows, of course, from v.17 and builds on it.  Again the question is relevant: should the remarks about meats (food) and prostitutes (sex) determine our understanding of this verse, or should it govern the meaning of the illustrative text?

 

The Apostle's argument does not begin with v.12, but continues from the preceding text.  Some of you used to be of that kind: but you have been washed clean, you have been sanctified, and you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and through the Spirit of our God. (11)  You are not your own property, then; you have been bought at a price.  So use your body for the glory of God. (20)

 

By setting the distracting material [4] aside, we are able to discern Paul's basic argument.  You are not your own property, then; you have been bought at a price.  So use your body for the glory of God.  AGo lie down.A  AIf you are called again, say....A  And Samuel went to his place and lay down.

 

John 1: 43--51

           

The next day, after Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, >Follow me.= (43)  All excited, Philip ran off to tell Nathanael who, though harboring doubts, came along to have a look.  Nathanael asked, >How do you know me?=  Jesus replied, >Before Philip came to call you, I saw you under the fig tree.= (48)  Nathanael demonstrates for us the reason for heeding the advice of the priest Eli: AGo lie down.A  Something good might come of it.