What we read in 1 Samuel 3:1 should sting: The word of the Lord was rare, and prophetic visions were not widespread. In other words, God was rather quiet, and that quietness was likely because of the sinful corruption of the people in that day – namely Eli’s sons. God’s people held His words in contempt, so He gave them what they wanted – less of them.

We live in a day when God’s Word is abundant. Most of us have several copies of the Bible in our homes, in multiple translations. We have the Scriptures on our smartphones. We can access it on several free websites. And yet, perhaps we, too, hold God’s Word in contempt. No, surely not like Eli’s sons – we would never say we despise or reject God’s Word – but by our neglect of it. How many days go by without us cracking open any of the numerous copies of the Bible we have all around us? How often do we nibble on God’s Word rather than feasting on it?

We may long for God audibly to break the silence in our lives and world, but our neglect of what He has spoken to us in His Word should cause us to tremble.

What is your plan to spend regular quality time in God’s Word?