May 14, 2024 | Be God's Light
The Lord Calls Samuel
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3 (NIV)
1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”
15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.”
Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
17 “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
Devotional
I received my call to ministry on a wintry night in February 1982 with snow falling on Slater Hill at Purdue University. I remember it like it was yesterday. Though I didn’t know everything that would happen over these past four decades, I did have a strong sense that God was giving me GOOD news.
But Samuel’s call to ministry started with BAD news. He would have to tell Eli that God was going to bring about the end of his priestly family line. At first Samuel kept it to himself. Who could blame him? Eli was his priest, mentor, and surrogate father. He must have loved him deeply.
Verse 19 gives us the result of Samuel’s faithfulness: “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.” What an interesting phrase. Today we might say “fall on deaf ears.” His words weren’t ignored. The entire nation of Israel recognized him as a prophet who spoke the word of God.
We are called to be faithful with whatever task God gives us. A few chapters later, when the Israelites were clamoring for a king, Samuel said to them, “And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:23-24). There it is again. Serve God faithfully.
Proverbs 3:3-4 says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” A commitment to love and faithfulness yields a positive and productive life.
How is God calling you to be faithful with His purposes for your life? How can you be more faithful with your words, actions, relationships, and calling?
Poem
Calling
It takes a childlike list’ning
It takes a silent night
When all the world is sleeping
When all the soul is quiet
To hear the central calling
To hear the voice of God
Life’s weaving threads a-looming
Life’s weaving shuttle rod
Your name pierces the darkness
Your name whispered in ear
Your answer trust’s submission
Your answer strong and clear
My quiet soul is longing
My quiet life is still
O speak, your servant’s list’ning
O speak, what is your will?
