Universal Utterings®
for May 18, 2024

A Godcast ® brought to you by

God First Ministries, Inc. 501c3

WWW.UNIVERSALUTTERINGS.COM

05-18-2024 Sirach 46 V1115 Deceived not were hearts of the JUDGES

http://universalutterings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05-18-2024-Sirach-46-V1115-Deceived-not-were-hearts-of-the-JUDGES-.mp3

The Book of Sirach Ch 46 v- 11 thru 15

11 The JUDGES, each one of them, whose hearts were not deceived, Who did not abandon God—may their memory be ever blessed! 12 May their bones flourish with new life where they lie, and their names receive fresh luster in their children. 13 Beloved of his people, dear to his Maker, pledged in a vow from his mother’s womb, As one consecrated to the LORD in the prophetic office, was SAMUEL, the judge who offered sacrifice. At God’s word he established the kingdom and anointed princes to rule the people. 14 By the law of the LORD he judged the congregation, and visited the encampments of Jacob. 15 As a trustworthy prophet he was sought out and his words proved him to be a true seer.

The Prophet Samuel stands as a towering figure in the biblical narrative, renowned for his unwavering dedication to God and his staunch opposition to idolatry. He emerges during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, a time when the nation struggled with internal decay and external threats. As a judge, Samuel was pivotal in guiding the Israelites back to a path of righteousness, urging them to abandon the worship of false idols and to reaffirm their covenant with the Lord.

Samuel's story begins with a miraculous birth, as he was the answer to his mother Hannah's fervent prayers. Dedicated to God from his youth, Samuel was raised under the tutelage of Eli, the high priest, in the temple at Shiloh. It was there that he first received divine revelations, marking the beginning of his role as a prophet. Samuel's reputation for prophetic insight and his fidelity to God's word quickly spread throughout Israel, establishing him as a respected and influential leader.

As a judge, Samuel not only adjudicated disputes but also led the people in spiritual and civil matters, steering them through times of peace and war. His greatest test came when the Israelites demanded a king to rule over them, desiring to be like other nations. Though this request grieved Samuel, as it signified a rejection of God's kingship, he complied after God instructed him to do so, anointing Saul as the first king of Israel.

Samuel's role did not diminish with the appointment of a monarchy. He continued to serve as God's prophet, delivering messages that held the king accountable to divine will. His influence persisted even after his death, as evidenced in the dramatic scene where King Saul, desperate for guidance, sought the counsel of the deceased Samuel through a medium at Endor. In a ghostly encounter, Samuel's spirit foretold the downfall of Saul's reign, which was a stark reminder of the consequences of straying from God's commandments.

The legacy of the Prophet Samuel is a powerful testament to the importance of fidelity to God above all else. He remains a beacon of integrity, serving as an example for all to reject the allure of false idols and to hold fast to the love of the Lord. Samuel's life teaches us that true strength and leadership come from unwavering faith and obedience to divine guidance. His story inspires believers to keep God at the center of their lives, to listen for His voice, and to remain faithful in all circumstances. We call that living God First for Jesus sharing Salvation and seeking Life Eternal. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

05-18-2024 Sirach 46 v-1115

**Samuel Opposed Idolatry**

In ancient days of Israel's fold,

A tale of faith and strength is told,

Of Samuel, prophet, judge, so bold,

Whose heart for God was pure as gold.

From Hannah's fervent, tearful plea,

A child was born, to set hearts free,

Anointed voice of the Holy One,

Samuel served till his days were done.

As a boy, in Shiloh's light,

He heard God's call in the still of night,

"Speak, Lord," he said, his soul alight,

"Your servant hears, and I'll set LIFE right."

He grew in stature and in grace,

A judge revered in every place,

Against idolatry, his stern face,

For only the Lord should Israel embrace.

In times when judges ruled the land,

Samuel's integrity took its stand,

He led with an unwavering hand,

On the rock of God's commandments, firm he'd stand.

He anointed kings by God's decree,

First Saul, then David, for all to see,

Yet warned of the burden a king would be,

A prophet's foresight, a destiny.

Even after his final breath,

He spoke beyond the veil of death,

Calling Saul at Endor's depths,

Foretelling fate with his posthumous breath.

Samuel, whose prayers like incense rose,

A faithful shepherd, he opposed

The wayward hearts, the spiritual foes,

With God's own word, he'd interpose.

A prophet mighty, a priest divine,

In history's pages, his deeds shine,

A judge who served a grand design,

Samuel, whose life was a sacred sign.

So let us remember this holy seer,

Who walked with God, devoid of fear,

His legacy, like the stars, clear:

To love the Lord and hold Him dear. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

May 18, 2024 @ 04:59 AM EST

® Universal Utterings is brought to you by;

**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using [email protected], mailed to 1350 Aldo Rd. Babson Park, FL 33827, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**