Samuel! Samuel!

The history of Samuel begins with his mother, Hannah. When the nation of Israel was at its lowest ebb, God did not intervene in a show of power to suddenly bring to the forefront a mighty judge like Gideon or a powerful prophet like Elijah. Instead, He worked in the heart of a distressed woman, leading her into His presence to pour out her soul in prayer and ask, in faith, for a son. God demonstrates His power in the heart of one person in preparation for the blessing of a whole nation. God does not act quickly but quietly impresses upon us the importance of a personal faith, prayerfulness, and a belief that God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Samuel life gradually unfolds, “the child was young” (1 Samuel 1:24), “the child ministered to the Lord”, “Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child”, “the child Samuel grew before the Lord”, “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favour both with the Lord and men” (1 Samuel 2:11,18,21,26). The child became a young boy, “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:1).

We are told at the beginning of chapter 3 that “the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation”. That was about to change. In the quietness of the night, God calls Samuel. He answers, “Here I am”, and runs to Eli. These are the first recorded words of Samuel. He had learned to serve as a child, and when God called, he responded with readiness and energy, running to Eli. But it was not Eli calling Samuel. Eli eventually understood that God was calling Samuel. He wisely advised the young boy to respond with the words, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears”. God did speak, and it was a very solemn message about the judgment of Eli and his house.

God did not hide from Samuel the destitute spiritual condition of Eli’s priesthood. But the revelation did not leave Samuel in childhood confusion instead,

“Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord” (vv. 19-21).

Samuel’s life from birth to manhood was lived during one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history. We learn that the God of history works in the individual lives of his people using their weakness to display His strength. The themes of prayer, sacrifice, and spiritual growth in arid spiritual conditions are woven throughout Samuel’s life. God does not hide from us spiritual failure and its consequences. But above all, what God does demonstrate is how, in such adverse circumstances, we can grow in His presence to fulfil His will in our lives. Samuel’s words “Here I am”, and “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears” are words that should resonate in our hearts. The Saviour still calls our names to speak to our hearts and lead us “in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).