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In 1 Samuel 3:1-10 we learn about God’s calling upon Samuel’s life. The name Samuel itself means both “God has heard” and “Name of God”.
This traditional biblical name is derived from the Hebrew name Shemu’el, which has the same meanings.
Samuel became the earliest of the great Hebrew prophets (after Moses), and was the last judge appointed in Israel. Samuel appointed Saul as the first king of Israel and later anointed David as Saul’s successor. Samuel is also recognised as one of the greatest leaders of Israel. (Jeremiah 15:1 , Hebrews 11:32)
In fact, in Jeremiah 15:1 God Himself put Samuel in the same exalted company of Moses. Speaking to Jeremiah: “Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me ….”
Very high praise indeed.
In many ways Samuel is a foreshadow of, and points forward to the person of the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the story of Samuel’s birth, the direct hand of God can be seen. And I would encourage you all to read about the hand of God in Samuel’s birth in 1 Samuel chapter 1.
In his ministry as judge, prophet and priest Samuel anticipates the ministry of Jesus, as well as the work of Jesus forerunner John the Baptist.
As Samuel marked out David as God’s chosen man, so John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Messiah, the Saviour.
So, in the passage we heard, we hear about God’s calling upon a young Samuel’s life.
Just because this true historical and biblical account comes from the Old Testament does not mean we should ignore it. In fact, far from it.
Because God still speaks to us today.
God speaks to us directly in the words of the Bible. God also speaks to us in dreams, visions, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, prophecy, and in interpretation of tongues.
As well as by these means, God speaks to us through the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit.
In fact, Jesus Himself told us in John 16:12-15 that the Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth, and tell us about the future. That He will bring Jesus glory by telling you whatever He receives from Jesus. And that all that belongs to the Father is Mine; which is why Jesus said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.’
And that is a promise directly from Jesus.
And our part is exactly the same as what Eli the priest told Samuel that Samuel’s part was. That is to reply: “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.”
You see, as we are reminded in Psalm 139, God knows our hearts and everything, every little detail about us. Our thoughts, our motives, our words, and our actions.
And yet, despite God knowing these things about us, God still wishes to speak to us. To commune with us.
What is God speaking to you?
If you have repented of your sins, your wrong-doings, and have given your life over to Jesus, then I know with 100% certainty that one of the things God is speaking to you about is that, like the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:5, God is telling you to share your faith.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:5: “we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake”.
Change the words “preaching” and “preach” in that verse to the words “sharing” and “share” and you could say that verse like this: God doesn’t want us to go around sharing only about ourselves. Instead, God wants us to also share that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that we, ourselves, are just servants for Jesus’ sake”.
Which of course is in line with the principles of the New Testament in the Bible. In line with Jesus’ command for our lives:
“go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”
And because of that we have this promise from Jesus: “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)
What else is God speaking to you?
I know with 100% certainty that one of the things God is speaking to you about is:
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets, (in other words the entire teachings of the Bible and God’s will for our lives), are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40 NLT)
What else is God speaking to you?
I know with 100% certainty that there are other things that God is speaking to you. Or at least is trying to speak to you.
The real question is do you want to hear from God?
To hear from God, we must cultivate “listening ears”, minds and hearts.
The Bible tells us that “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.” – and to us as individuals. (Revelation 3:22 NLT)
What about if you haven’t repented of your sins, your wrong-doings, and have given your life over to Jesus?
Will God still speak to you? Does God even want to speak to you?
The answer to both those questions is “yes”!
In fact, if you have never given your life to Jesus the God, through His Holy Spirit, is speaking to you right now. And not just through my words, but by that inner voice you have saying that now is the time of your salvation. Now is the time to do something about that inner voice, that uneasiness that you are feeling.
The Bible teaches us that the only hope to resurrection and life with God in heaven is through a personal salvation by faith of accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
You may have been ‘a good person’, may have been baptised as an infant, may have been confirmed in a church, may have attended a church, may have even helped out in a church – but none of these things by themselves assures salvation, nor even necessarily means you are a Christian.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me’.” (John 14:6 AMP)
There is only one way to be saved. And that is by giving your life to Jesus.
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.” (Acts 2:38-39 AMP)
The only time that you can receive salvation through Jesus Christ is while you are alive. Once you die that is it. It is too late.
You cannot be prayed out of hell by others later on. No sacrifice or offering by others can get you out of hell or, as the Catholics believe, out of “Purgatory”.
You, and you alone, are responsible for your own salvation. If you have not given your life to Jesus, you must do so now before it is too late.
If you have not received Jesus as your Saviour, then I encourage you to repent and accept Jesus as your Saviour, and dedicate your life to Him.
Or if you have strayed and feel far away from God, I encourage you to repent and re-dedicate your life to living for Jesus.
Don’t worry about what others may think. Don’t worry about what your spouse or partner or family may think.
This is your time because God has spoken to you.
And you alone can make the decision to have a listening ear and respond and get right with God.
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