Daily Devotional

And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:20). 

The phrase “from coast to coast” took on new meaning in the United States with the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. No longer did people need to travel by slow wagon trains for months to reach California. Now they could go faster, safer, and cheaper by train. The railroad was built between 1863 and 1869. It began in Omaha, Nebraska (since rail lines already reached this city from the east) and terminated in Sacramento, California. 

Building the line was tough work. Heavy snow in the mountains made it nearly impossible to lay track and build bridges. Blasting tunnels through solid granite advanced the line only a foot per day. Work on the plains was hampered by attacks from Native Americans when the “iron horse” travelled through their lands. Yet when the last spike was finally in place, the nation was finally united. 

After Eli the high priest died, Samuel had his work cut out for him. Israel had slid backward spiritually. The unchecked immorality of Eli’s sons created a low interest in true worship. With the Philistine attack, the loss of the ark of the covenant, and the destruction of the sanctuary at Shiloh, Israel turned to Samuel for guidance. The prophet of God pleaded on behalf of his people and the Lord helped them drive out the Philistines. 

Samuel didn’t have a train to rise, but he travelled all over Israel judging the people. He went “from Dan to Beersheba,” meaning he covered the entire territory from north to south. The faithful prophet ministered to God’s people “all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 7:15). Not since the time 

of Joshua did the people have such a wise leader who was a prophet, a priest, and a judge. God still seeks to bless His church, from coast to coast, in every land under the sun. 

Lord, I praise You for wise and godly leaders who guide Your people onto spiritual pathways.