Reading
SAA Notes
This is one of those precious records of where the Lord makes someone aware of Himself in a wonderful way. Paul’s meeting with Christ is equally dramatic and determinative for the future well-being of His people. This chapter makes the point that it was important that all of Israel recognized that God had attested Samuel as His prophet!
SJA Notes
* Faithful God, save us by Your Name and vindicate us by Your might. Please hear our prayer, give ear to the words of our mouths.
“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.”
After the terrible moral depravity we see in Judges, and then with the promise of hope we read of in Ruth, here we have the calling of Samuel to be a prophet before the Lord.
A young boy is called by the Lord.
We know from previously that Samuel has been ministering before the Lord since he was very young, growing in the presence of the Lord – in both stature and favour with the Lord and also with man.
But here Samuel is CALLED.
How encouraged we can be from Samuel’s response (heeding Eli) – “Here I am!”
This is a good encouragement for us, to respond as Samuel did, to say, “Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.”
We today have God’s word become flesh, having dwelt among us – Jesus, the Lord’s Christ in TRUTH, God in the Person of the Son – GOD’S WORD TO US.
This truth is never old or dusty, we are able to wrestle with it and chew on it all our days.
Let us be encouraged today to be like Samuel, to thank God for Jesus, through whom we are reconciled with God, called to be His people.
* Gracious Father God,
Please write Your word on our hearts today that we might not sin against You.
Please plant Your word deep in us, and grow it, that we might be good soil and bear much fruit.
Please open the eyes and ears of our hearts, that we might see and hear what you have for us today.
Please sink us in self that we might rise in You!
Amen.