4. Old Testament Walkers and Talkers

xii. Samuel

Thinking

The story of Samuel was always a popular story at Sunday School, because it tells us how God spoke to a child. The boy Samuel had been given to God and was being raised in the Temple under the supervision of Eli, the High Priest. In the now famous story, the Lord called to the boy Samuel in the night. At first, Samuel mistook God's voice for that of Eli.

There is a lesson here for us today, because the story testifies to the non-threatening and human quality of God's voice sensitive to the needs of the young boy.

But it was more than a voice, rather, a presence, because the scripture records that God came and stood there calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" (1 Samuel 3: 4-14). The passage goes on to say that "the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (1 Samuel 3: 21).

Samuel appears to have had a conversational relationship with God that was used in his daily life as a priest. Therefore, he was known as a man of God. The Bible records nine specific instances when Samuel heard clear verbal instructions from the Lord. These include the identification and anointing of Saul (1 Samuel 9:15-16 and 10: 22), and later of David. In each of the latter cases the text commences with the phrase "the Lord said".

Listening

My son, there are two lessons here that I want you to consider and take to your heart today. First, I still speak to and through children. Do you remember the words from Matthew's Gospel?

Praying

Yes, Lord. "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18: 3). Lord, I have read how you welcomed little ones and sat them on your knee. Is this how I must come to you?

Listening

Yes, my son. Let me help you throw off the dirt and grime of the world. Then come as a little child. Sit with me, talk with me, and listen to my words.

Praying

I will, Lord. To spend time with you is joy itself. The clock seems to stop. Perhaps even this is a sample of eternity.

Listening

My son, the second lesson for you to note from Samuel is how important it is for leaders in my church and family to have this conversational walk with me. Samuel was known as a "man of God" but not because of any academic or seminary learning. He grew in wisdom because he walked and talked with me. Today in your time, the more senior a person is, the more important this life of conversation with me must be.

Praying

Lord, I thank you today for making this point so clear to me. I'm not any major kind of leader, but I know and testify that all wisdom comes from you, and I thank you again for sharing some of this infinite quality with me.

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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