Moment With The Master
“Regretful Resolve”
Categories: Moment With The MasterThen Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him." (1 Samuel 3:18)
The story of Eli’s sons is one of the most tragic in Bible history. This national leader of Israel was a failure as a father. The scripture says: "his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them”. (1 Samuel 3:13) Because of his laxity God would punish the house of Eli.
To add further tension, God would commission Samuel, Eli’s replacement, to reconfirm God’s pronounced judgment. Samuel must have had lumps in his throat when he approached Eli with his message from God. However, Eli’s remarkable attitude surely eased the mind of Samuel. And he said, "What is the word that the LORD spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He said to you." (1 Samuel 3:17) Then Samuel tells him everything. Eli’s reply is recorded above.
With all hope vanquished that God would change his mind, Eli reverently accepts his plight. What a truly sad picture! “This is the Lord’s will and no one can change it!” Midst his glaring failure, we see the bright side of Eli’s character- humble resolution!
In Eli’s words we see three important features of God’s character: 1) God is just: the family of Eli would receive all that it deserved, 2) God is sovereign: “Let him do what seems good”. It is vain to contend against God. His purposes will be fulfilled, 3) God is good: Though it must have been difficult to accept, Eli acknowledges that God always does what is right.
With these thoughts in mind, we must live in the fear of God, grateful for His patience, but with the challenge to live with no regrets. We will surely make mistakes, but we must have the courage to change that we might be pleasing to the Lord.
George Slover
