Deeper Reflection
THERE ARE THREE MAIN CHARACTERS in 1 Samuel whose paths crossed
each other: Samuel, Saul and David. And we see the discipleship journey of
two contrasting characters: Saul and David. Our discipleship journey must
be founded and built on two indispensable and inseparably intertwined
fundamentals: the kingship of God and the centrality of the Word of God.
Samuel’s place in 1 Samuel is about the centrality of the Word of God, for
he was God’s prophet in Israel (vv.7, 19-21; 1 Sam 4:1; 7:3; 8:10; 9:27; 15:1).
If “word from the Lord is rare” in our lives (v.1), does it matter to us? Are
we concerned? It will be incongruent for us to say “Yes”, if the Bible is not
more important to us than anything else and if we neglect the Scriptures.
The Bible’s importance to us is indicated by our seeking to live by the
Word of God (Matt 4:4). And this in turn is reflected by our devotion to
reading and understanding the Scriptures. And that means making time for
unhurried reading and “looking intently” at the Scriptures (Jas 1:25). The
Psalmist prays, “Give me understanding, that I may observe Your Law”
(Psa 119:34). The purpose of understanding God’s Word is to apply the
Word, but understanding precedes application. Are you like a tree planted
by streams of living water that nourishes your soul, because you delight in
the Word of God and feed on it with hunger (Psa 1:2-3), habitually asking
“What does the Scripture say?” (Rom 4:3)?