God’s Sovereignty - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord the Lord called Samuel.
1 Samuel 3:3-4

God's Sovereignty
Man may fail but God does not. He raises up new servants to replace those who have failed to carry out His purposes. This does not make Him indifferent or mechanical towards human failure, but He is not limited or controlled by it.

At least two verses in this chapter illustrate the failure of Israel: "the Word of the Lord was rare in those days" (v. 1), giving evidence that the people were in no condition to receive revelations from the Lord. And Eli the priest was "lying down" and "his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see" (v. 2). This means that the man who was to represent God to the people and the people to God was immobile and partially blind.

But God was not caught unawares. "Before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord," He had already begun to prepare Samuel. As this young servant slept, the Lord called to him. Never mind that the word of the Lord was not yet revealed to him. Never mind that he mistook the voice of the Lord, thinking that Eli was calling. Never mind that he forgot part of the words Eli told him to say in response to the Lord. God was beginning a work in his life which would revive "the lamp of God."

I am always amazed at the first thing the Lord said to little Samuel. It is so different from what we would normally (and rightly) say. He did not begin by giving Samuel a simple message as to His attributes, His promises, or His plans for the lad. He began by giving him a chilling message of the judgment He was about to bring upon Eli—Samuel's old friend! Why did God act in this way? I am not sure. But I am overwhelmed with His sovereignty. He need not act according to that which appeals to human sensibilities in accomplishing His perfect will.

Grant W. Steidl