Devotional for Monday, January 31, 2022
Morning John 11:41-44
Noon Psalms 3
Evening 1 Samuel 3:1-11
When God calls us, we cannot resist; it is a force so great that you cannot evade it. When God called Abraham, he obeyed God and left his country to follow God. When God spoke to Hagar, she obeyed and returned home. When God called Moses, he at first refused the calling, but Moses couldn't fight it for long, and at the end of his story, we see Moses fulfilling God’s will. Jonah tried to avoid God's call to a prophetic ministry. Jonah fled from God, the giver of everything, but after personal trials, we see him fulfilling the Lord's will. Hearing God’s call is a great privilege and Samuel was able to testify of this privilege. When God calls you, death loses its power; the resurrection of Lazarus is an example of this great reality.
The call of God changes our plans, our lives, our mission. This is what happened to Saul of Tarsus, he went from being a persecutor to becoming the persecuted after receiving God’s calling. May God grant us humble hearts so that when we hear God’s calling, we can respond as Mary did: "Behold, the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word". To be called by God is a super special gift.
Written by Natileydis González, Translated by Maria Elena Cardona
Morning John 11:41-44
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Noon Psalms 3
1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Evening 1 Samuel 3:1-11
1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
Prayer Guide: [Chile-Calbuco] and [E.U. Diócesis Sur-Zephyrhills]
Annual Bible reading: Leviticus 11, 12 , 13
