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1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down within the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!" 5 and ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. 6 And the LORD called again, "Samuel!" And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for thy servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the LORD came and stood forth, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for thy servant hears." (1 Samuel 3:1-10, Revised Standard Version)
A Wonderful Tuesday be yours, ConCafe Family! And may joy abound in your heart, Dear One, is my prayer. Please continue to pray for those with Covid-19; beginning with our pastor, Rev. Matt Pennington, for my cousin, Mr. Xavier Jimenez, Mrs. Katrina Sherman, and any and all whom we know that have this dreaded virus. Please friends, continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and do whatever it takes to be safe!
It's a connecting point when someone knows you by name and calls you that. If you've ever been in a crowd and you think no one knows you and you hear your name called from across the room, it brings a connection to the one calling you. The key to selling to big companies is to know the name of the person who does the buying. I remember the days of my childhood; my friend Alex and I could be anywhere in our town of Kingsville and just as it was getting dark my Mom's voice would travel miles and I would hear her calling me! I had NO choice but to stop what I was doing, and hurry home as quickly as I could, because a second yell from Mom would mean there would be consequences to be suffered, both at her hand and my Dad's hand. It's been a long time since those days. Now, we text our kids to get their attention. Email for some kids, is just too old; and getting some younger folks to answer a phone, well that's a challenge too.
We all know some of the boy Samuel's story. He was born to a mother who was thought to have been unable to bear children; and her prayer asking God to give her a son included her promise that she would dedicate this child to Him, if He would be grant her a son. When the boy was weaned, she brought him to the temple where he would serve God under the prophet Eli. The text says, "And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision." This reflects more on the people than it does God; the people had alienated themselves from God in worship and prayer; and the leadership of Eli also showed a prophet who no longer served God effectively. His own sons had become walking sermons on how not to serve God but how to serve and please themselves. It was in that environment that little Samuel gets introduced to God.
Eli is getting on in years, and the boy had finished his daily tasks and lays down for the night. It was while he was in bed that God comes and calls the boy by his name; "Samuel! Samuel!" The boy did not yet know God, let alone His voice, so he assumes that it is the prophet who called him. The boy knew to run when the prophet called, and so he does; but the old man says he did not call him. The Lord calls Samuel a second time. Again, the prophet says, "I did not call you." It was on the third call that the prophet realizes that it might just be God who is calling the boy and so shares these instructions; "Go, lie down; and if He calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears." And it was then that Samuel knew how to respond, and God speaks to him.
The rest of the recommended verses for this passage deal with the harsh reality to which the boy was being called. It was in that call that God has verbally "anointed" him as the new prophet; the new "mouth piece" for God, and the message that God had for Israel was that Eli and all his house would suffer because of their failings before God. Eli had not restrained his sons from doing what they did on a regular basis, and for that reason, they were removed from their positions. God made it clear that no sacrifice or offering would remove that judgment against them; their sins were severe and they would be punished for them.
The call from God when it comes, usually comes at some cost or sacrifice to the one being called. Some who answered the call after they had already married, have lost their spouse. A dear friend, who had been a very successful lawyer, lost his wife when she said she was not called to marry a pastor but a lawyer. Some have been disowned by their parents. And most of those who are United Methodists have said yes knowing that our itinerancy system will call them many miles away from home and from family. Yet, as the big picture becomes clear, the needed impact of presence and preaching on many, outweigh the sacrifices or cost; God is glorified and people are saved! So, if you are being called by name, there's only one answer that God wants to hear; "Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears." And have a child-like awe and wonder about that call coming to you!
PRAYER: Loving God, speak to us, especially those among us who are wrestling with a call from You. Help us understand that You are with us and will never abandon us. Grant us peace and patience, to respond in the affirmative to go forward with You to do Your work; this we pray in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show how God can use you today to those around you.
Receive my blessings and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
