Samuel

“Speak for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10

The book of 1 Samuel is the account of a righteous man who led God’s people through difficult times.  “This book covers nearly one century of Israel’s history—from Samuel’s birth to Saul’s death, 1105-1010BC.” (Don Stamps)

Hannah, Samuel’s mother, earnestly prayed for a child and God answered her prayers with the birth of Samuel.  Not only did Hannah pray, but also made a promise to God that this child would be given to Him. Although it must have been difficult, Hannah was faithful in fulfilling her promise.  It was difficult times. The leadership of the Temple of God was at an all-time low.  Those that were to be pointing people to God, were living a life that led them in the opposite direction.  This temple is where Hannah brought her precious son, however, the God who gave her Samuel, was a God that could use her son for His glory.

Samuel’s first encounter with God is found in chapter three.  Even though Samuel didn’t know God’s voice yet, the priest Eli did and instructed Samuel to say to God, “Speak for your servant is listening.”  A statement that Samuel lived the entirety of his life.

In time, God appointed Samuel as the last Judge of Israel.  That assignment for Samuel started by bringing the nation back to Jehovah and ridding the nation of their false gods and beliefs.  Samuel was a man of prayer.  He was a man that heard from God.  He was a man that followed exactly what he heard from God.  He was humble and steadfast in leading the nation through all the years of his leadership.

When Samuel was old, the people told him they wanted a King, not a Judge or Prophet.  They wanted to be like other nations around them.  Even though Samuel told the people of demands of a king, that is what they wanted.  So, in his farewell speech to the nation Samuel says the most incredible thing.  Samuel asked the people to testify if he had ever wronged them. The people testified that they could not find any wrong Samuel had done. Yet, they wanted a King.

Are we so different today?  We see and know how faithful God is to us.  God is love, leads with compassion, has a purpose and plan for us, hears and responds to us, but so often we want to do it our way.  However, we still have opportunity to say, “Speak your servant is listening” and learning to “follow” God every step of the way as Samuel did.  What a testimony that would be for the world to see.  The God who enabled Samuel to live such a life is willing to help us too.

Pastor Ruth Kaunley