Rooftop Conversations

Rooftop Conversations
Words of Faith 9-4-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Samuel 9
[22] Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited--about thirty in number. [23] Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside." [24] So the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, 'I have invited guests.'" And Saul dined with Samuel that day. [25] After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. [26] They rose about daybreak and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get ready, and I will send you on your way." When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. [27] As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us"-- and the servant did so-- "but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God."

There are certain conversations in the Bible upon which I wish I could eavesdrop. This is one. Samuel prepared a banquet for thirty. Honor was paid to the young man who soon would be king. He set before Saul a choice piece of meat that had been set aside just for this occasion. After dining, the two returned to the house and talked on the roof.
Conversations on a rooftop... or in a high place that looks over an area... always have a particular tone. Sometimes, such chats take place from a high balcony or office. The view could make one dizzy, but such conversations are often reflective. The perspective of looking over things from a high position colors the sense of the words and thoughts.
We don't know what was said in these conversations. Samuel was advising Saul about what was going to happen to him, that everything was about to change once he was anointed the first king of Israel. It may be that Samuel was telling Saul about the perils of power or the dangers of overreaching. It may be that He was giving Saul the kind of fatherly advice that one senior statesman gives to a younger leader. But like the private conversations between transitioning presidents-- shown only from afar-- this biblical dialogue remains a secret. Was Saul warned or coached? Guided or prayed for? Did he listen?
Perhaps the important lesson is much simpler: Are we listening? We may never transition into such a powerful place, but the Lord is always at work all around us. God gives us high conversations from time to time. The question is this: Am I listening?
Do we hear wise counsel's warnings or advice prepared by those who walked closely with God? When everything suddenly changes around us, do we listen to the most important voices or just the most flattering and "influential"? When the dinners conclude, and honors are given, are we listening to the vital voice of wisdom that speaks God's guidance?
It is an amazing place, and this rooftop vista is reserved for the most critical conversations. The question is... how will we treat that place?

Father God, give me ears to hear Your voice in the wisdom of those You have anointed to know You and speak into my life. Help me not to be dizzy in the high places but rather to listen ever more closely to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.