Recently, I have sat in awe often as I ponder the magnificence that is the Bible. What a stinkin’ blessing it is that we have such a resource to get to live by. There’s good stories, obviously good lessons, encouragement, guidance, and, most importantly, Truth. First and second Samuel are some of my favorite books with stories and people that I have been able to relate to a lot throughout my life. 1 Samuel 3 has completely captured my heart this week.
Samuel was just a boy, and even though He didn’t know it was good right away, he knew he was called. He was obedient and got up every single time he heard his name. He feared God in the best way.
The Lord pursued Samuel…He called him by NAME! This has made me reflect on how the Lord has pursued me throughout my life. It’s taken me lots of “Here I am!”s to realize the love and intentionality of God in this. That’s all the Lord asks of us; to reply when he calls. How great of a life did Samuel live in just following the Lord wherever he had him go.
Eli warned Samuel against God’s power and wrath. Samuel feared God, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. God’s wrath is legitimate. Our God is sovereign, merciful, loving and gracious, but man, even for someone to be all of that is scary! It’s incredibly powerful. Samuel realized that about God and knew there was no choice but to obey, and not out of shear fear, but for fear of the life he’d have if he didn’t follow God.
I wonder what my life would look like if I chose not to reply with a “Here I am.” I wonder if I’d live in abundance or have any hope or want for nothing. I won’t dwell on those thoughts too much because they quite don’t matter. I just know that I want to live my life like Samuel with a child like faith and fear of the Lord. My response will forever be, “Here I am” to God. That’s always His response to me, too: “Here I am.” What a blessing it is to actually get to live in relationship with our Creator like that.
