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Saul was king, but Samuel had been the nation’s spiritual leader. Samuel was always careful to listen to and obey the Lord as a young boy and an older man. With Samuel gone, Israel would be without spiritual leadership until David became king.

Before his death, Samuel showed that those God finds faithful in small things will be trusted with greater things. He grew up assisting the high priest Eli in the Tabernacle until God directed him to other responsibilities. God was able to use Samuel because he was genuinely dedicated to God.

My Study Bible suggests that Samuel always moved ahead because he listened to God’s directions. Too often, we ask God to control our lives without having to give up the goals for which we strive. The first step in correcting this tendency is to turn over control and the destination of our lives to the Lord. The second step is to do what God requires of us. The third step is to listen for further direction from His Word.

Final thought: A frequent prayer of mine is to ask the Lord to allow me to recognize Him at work in and around me. Then, I ask for the courage to join Him and follow where He leads.

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