1 Samuel 3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
Friends, no two people ever seem to come to God the same way. Samuel was born to a barren first wife, Hannah, after she beseeched God for offspring, promising to lend him to God, if He granted her wish. Thus Samuel was apprenticed to the High Priest Eli at a tender age. At that time, Israel was going through one of it’s godless periods, consequently, there was a dearth of prophets in the land, none to reveal the vision of God to the people, corroborating the saying, that where there’s no prophet and no vision, the people suffer. Even the High Priest’s sons were corrupt, so the Lord chastened Eli for not having rule over his sons, and promised to give the High Priest’s role to another line. ‘And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.’ (1 Sam.2:35) Samuel would be the one to begin the revival of God’s word in Israel. But he was unaware of his great calling until that fateful evening, lying in bed, he heard someone call his name. Thinking it was Eli, he got up and ran to him. But Eli hadn’t called, and sent Samuel back to bed. Shortly thereafter, he again heard his name, got up once more and ran to Eli’s side, to find that Eli had not called. That’s where Today’s Bit comes in. Samuel helped Eli with the ministry, but he was still unfamiliar with God’s machinations and with his own role. So total confusion must have reigned in his young mind when he heard his name a third time, went to Eli, and again found it to be a false alarm. But Eli realized what was happening. ‘Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.’ (1 Sam.3:9) So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord called yet again. ‘Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.’ (1 Sam.3:10) The Lord then revealed His plans for Israel and in particular the sons of Eli. Finally, Samuel was made aware of his destiny. But since it included the destruction of Eli’s line, he was afraid to tell Eli the Lord’s tidings. Eli had been warned though, and when he got Samuel to tell him everything, his response was admirable. ‘It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth good… And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did not let none of his words fall to the ground.’ (1Sam.3:18-19) Ah Friends, this story tells us so much about the God we worship: His faithfulness; to Hannah, to Samuel, who’s righteousness He upheld. His fondness for drama. (smile) He likes to interweave His actions, like a good script writer, and also use the most unlikely people to play the leading roles. He could have surely raised up a mighty prophet in a straightforward manner. But that’s not His style. It’s just like He made Jesus poor, lowly and humble. He will also allow us to be disobedient for long periods, but certainly not forever. See how He finally brought Eli’s house to heel. When we get to prolong disobedient acts without any retribution, it just means He’s giving us more rope to hang ourselves, or a chance to get out on our own. The same goes for disobedient societies, and ours is a prime candidate right now. The only safe way Friends, is to acknowledge His supremacy, feed on His word, and stay obedient as best we can. Otherwise, we’re headed for destruction. Much LOVE!…trust and obey…it ‘s the only sensible way…
Friends, no two people ever seem to come to God the same way. Samuel was born to a barren first wife, Hannah, after she beseeched God for offspring, promising to lend him to God, if He granted her wish. Thus Samuel was apprenticed to the High Priest Eli at a tender age. At that time, Israel was going through one of it’s godless periods, consequently, there was a dearth of prophets in the land, none to reveal the vision of God to the people, corroborating the saying, that where there’s no prophet and no vision, the people suffer. Even the High Priest’s sons were corrupt, so the Lord chastened Eli for not having rule over his sons, and promised to give the High Priest’s role to another line. ‘And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.’ (1 Sam.2:35) Samuel would be the one to begin the revival of God’s word in Israel. But he was unaware of his great calling until that fateful evening, lying in bed, he heard someone call his name. Thinking it was Eli, he got up and ran to him. But Eli hadn’t called, and sent Samuel back to bed. Shortly thereafter, he again heard his name, got up once more and ran to Eli’s side, to find that Eli had not called. That’s where Today’s Bit comes in. Samuel helped Eli with the ministry, but he was still unfamiliar with God’s machinations and with his own role. So total confusion must have reigned in his young mind when he heard his name a third time, went to Eli, and again found it to be a false alarm. But Eli realized what was happening. ‘Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.’ (1 Sam.3:9) So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord called yet again. ‘Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.’ (1 Sam.3:10) The Lord then revealed His plans for Israel and in particular the sons of Eli. Finally, Samuel was made aware of his destiny. But since it included the destruction of Eli’s line, he was afraid to tell Eli the Lord’s tidings. Eli had been warned though, and when he got Samuel to tell him everything, his response was admirable. ‘It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth good… And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did not let none of his words fall to the ground.’ (1Sam.3:18-19) Ah Friends, this story tells us so much about the God we worship: His faithfulness; to Hannah, to Samuel, who’s righteousness He upheld. His fondness for drama. (smile) He likes to interweave His actions, like a good script writer, and also use the most unlikely people to play the leading roles. He could have surely raised up a mighty prophet in a straightforward manner. But that’s not His style. It’s just like He made Jesus poor, lowly and humble. He will also allow us to be disobedient for long periods, but certainly not forever. See how He finally brought Eli’s house to heel. When we get to prolong disobedient acts without any retribution, it just means He’s giving us more rope to hang ourselves, or a chance to get out on our own. The same goes for disobedient societies, and ours is a prime candidate right now. The only safe way Friends, is to acknowledge His supremacy, feed on His word, and stay obedient as best we can. Otherwise, we’re headed for destruction. Much LOVE!…trust and obey…it ‘s the only sensible way…
SCRIP-BITS 