DATE: Wednesday 8 July 2026
TOPIC: “REFUSING HELP BECAUSE YOU WANT TO LOOK STRONG – 1”
TEXT: 1 Samuel. 2:12-17, 27-36
MEMORY VERSE: “The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; on them he has set the world. 1 Samuel 2:7-8.
The story of Hophni and Phinehas reveals a lot about how pride and arrogance can push someone away from the purpose of God and cause such a one to be rejected by Him. God chose the family of Aaron and his lineage as His priests forever. Eli came from that lineage and served as the High priest in Shiloh.
Everything looked right with Eli until his children stepped into the office of priesthood. They abused the office and the privileges that came with it. They did not listen to any counsel or warning of their father about their vile lifestyle and chose to live as they wanted. Their abuse of authority as priests became a known practice in Israel and life seemed to continue until God gave his verdict. 1 Sam. 2:30 states, “Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”
God deserves honor, reverence and worship. He is our Source and we owe all we have and all we are to him. We must never come to the point where we become an authority and are self-sufficient, believing we can do whatsoever we like and not even God can stop us. Opportunities and privileges can be lost when mismanaged; God withdrew the privileges and blessings of priesthood from the family of Eli because of abuse. This abuse was borne out of disregard for God and the office of the priesthood. God can withdraw the blessings that make anyone proud and arrogant if they refuse to cherish it, but choose to abuse it.
God replaced the family of Eli with Samuel as priests in Israel. God can replace anyone who refuses to use their opportunities to serve His purposes. Our first priority must be to serve God’s purpose wherever and whenever we have the opportunity.
PRAYER: Oh Lord let me not be replaced in your divine agenda of blessing. Help me never to become conceited and lose focus of your divine purpose in Jesus’ name, Amen.