Two things are clear as the Bible introduces us to Samuel. First, God’s revelation rarely came to the nation during those sad years of passion-less regard for the Word of the God. Second, Samuel – the boy, not yet the prophet – with a preoccupation with the presence of God, ministered to the Lord.
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 1Samuel 3:1
It is a story filled with irony. The Word of the Lord was rare. Vision was rare, but Samuel’s time in the Presence of the Lord WAS NOT RARE.
From his birth, his mother Hannah positioned him to value the presence of God. Every year, prior to his apprenticeship under Eli the Priest, Samuel accompanied his mother and father to the yearly sacrifice, clothed in a garment reminiscent of the priests, who served before the Lord.
When he became the young protégé of Eli, Samuel chose a life of close proximity to the Lamp of God and the Ark of the Covenant; two enduring Old Testament symbols of God’s presence. One night beneath the glow of the Lampstand, while lying near the Ark of the Covenant, Samuel heard the voice of God call his name.
“Samuel.”
Samuel heard his name articulated from the lips of the eternal God. The same voice that called light into being spoke his name, but while he spent much time in the Presence of God, until this moment he never heard the Voice of God. Only after Eli realized what was taking place did he instruct Samuel how to respond:
Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1Samuel 3:9
And Samuel’s obedient response one verse later culminated in the call both a priest and a prophet; the one, who would anoint the first King of Israel and later confront him for his sin. Samuel would later find and anoint a shepherd after God’s heart to be King, David the son of Jesse.
Every child needs the guidance of a Hannah, who can shape a his or her sense of potential and calling. Every child needs a Hannah, who will “clothe” them in the purpose and plan of God. We love Hannah, a woman whose own personal faith would outlast some of the sorrow of her early life. We don’t really love Eli, whose sons held no reverence for the holiness of God. Nonetheless, everyone needs an Eli, who can not only lead us before the presence of God, but can teach us to listen and respond to the voice of God.
It has happened to me twice in the last 5 weeks. The prompting of the Holy Spirit during intercession for Christian Life Assembly and for the people of Gibsonville led me to pause over the story of Samuel’s call; to reflect, to wonder about the activity of God in my church and my community, and with guitar in hand, to lift my voice devotionally in a personal song to Christ:
“Speak, Lord. Let Your Voice, speak to me. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.”
And it happened again just a few nights ago and, this time, I sensed the impression of the Spirit of Christ:
“I am waking up, Samuel.”
And my prayer comes with a yes and amen! Father, awaken again the prophetic voice in my church and in my generation to speak for you. Let the mantle of your calling especially fall on the those of my daughter’s generation. We clothe them in Your purpose. We lead them into Your presence. We help shape and form their lives to live for your glory, but only You can utter their name and bring them into a life-changing encounter.