Psalm 139:1-6 / I Samuel 3:1-10

Now that Advent and Christmas have passed, we are in the season of the Christian year called Epiphany. Between now and February 11 (the Day of Transfiguration) I will be preaching from the Hebrew Scriptures. This Sunday, the 2nd Sunday in Epiphany, our reading is I Samuel 3:1-10.

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It tells about how God used a young boy to wake people up to God’s presence, and to do a sort of course-correction among clergy and God’s people, Israel.

I would encourage you, especially if we all end up being snowbound this week, to read the whole book of Samuel (I and II Samuel, but one book).

Why do you think “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread”?

As you read the story, what responses do you find yourself having — thoughts, feelings, engagement with the drama of it?

We would all do well to pray every day with Samuel’s words, “Speak, for you servant is listening."