“Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” 1 Samuel 2:22 NIV)

Times were tough. The corruption in the Tabernacle was widespread. The prophet Eli had lost control of his sons long ago and was unable or unwilling to do anything drastic to correct them. His songs were stealing the finest portions from the people’s sacrifices and seducing the young women who were trying to worship. I suspect that the mess in the Tabernacle was reflected in the population. Leadership always leads, even if their destination is destruction.

“The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was.” (1 Samuel 3:3 NIV)

Yet, in the most hopeless hours, it seems God always raises up another. There is a young boy: Samuel. He is the long-awaited son of Hannah, the son she carried and nursed and then turned over to the Lord as promised. The boy slept in the Tabernacle near to the Ark and the light of the Lord had not gone out.

Samuel was hungry and close. Historically, that’s who hears from God. That’s who God fills with His Spirit and uses to build His Kingdom.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 NIV)

Lord, let us be hungry and close. We see the world pulling away from You. We see leadership looking the other way when it comes to sin. Raise up a generation who loves and honors You. Begin with us. Amen.