4/27 1 Samuel 2:35

³⁵ And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.

Eli was unable to control his sons who were priests of the tabernacle. They would rob the offerings and even have relations with women that ministered to the LORD. A prophet came to Eli and told him that because of his sons' actions, the priesthood would be given to another family. Eli's sons would both die on the same day. Now we begin to see why Hannah would have in her heart to give her son, Samuel, to the LORD. Eli must have learned from his mistakes with his sons. He appears to have raised Samuel to have the fear of the LORD and a desire to be faithful to Him.

The words of our verse for today are a part of the prophecy to Eli. Like most prophecies, they have an intermediate and an ultimate fulfillment. The immediate fulfillment was that Samuel became the greatest Judge and priest of that period of Israel's history. But we know this is not only about Samuel, for the priest in this prophecy serves forever. That tells us this is ultimately about Jesus, our great High Priest.

His house is made up of His family. His family members are all that receive Him as Lord and redeemer. He always lives to faithfully intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25). Priests and pastors fail and often succumb to temptation. A few like Samuel remain faithful for life, but Jesus is faithful forever. Keep you focus on the faithful great High Priest who is even now interceding for you and me. He is the only One that has done all that is in God's heart and mind.

Consider: Is your faith dependent on a man? Men will fail, but Jesus never fails!