Our month spent in Malaysia was such a gift. Seth and I had time away from our favorite Squad to debrief as a couple and one of my favorite moments was spent poolside watching a one-year-old with her dad and mom. When Dad jumped in, she cried to be with him. She was carefully led by her mom to the pool’s edge and walked right into the deep end where she would sink and then buoy back up with a giggle – just so glad to be back in her father’s arms again. The imagery was overwhelming.
As I’m reading through 1 Samuel 3, I’m overwhelmed again! (Also: these are sweet books of the Bible for me because I have a cousin named Hannah, a brother named Samuel and a father named David & they’re so special to me.) But first, let’s back up and give some background. At the close of Judges, we see the Israelites in their darkest days. A nation that was supposed to magnify God’s glory was divided by regional judges and plagued by infighting. During this darkness, and because of their disobedience, communication from God was absent.
Yet, God. God opened Hannah’s womb and Hannah in turn gave her son Samuel back to the Lord, with the guidance of the priest Eli. A little Jesus warrior. The first to hear from God personally in 1 Samuel was (you guessed it!) Samuel as a little boy. And how precious it was.
The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 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. 1 Samuel 3:3-4
This happens x3. 1 Samuel 3:6-9
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel, Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10
My favorite part about this scripture is knowing that Samuel had never heard the voice of the Lord before. He had faithfully served and earnestly learned about God but did not have a personal relationship with Him. In this encounter, Samuel moved from head knowledge of knowing about God to the heart knowledge of actually knowing Him. This is the critical and necessary step in knowing God! But let’s not forget how this started: Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord. He just wanted to be near Him. To be in His presence because he believed so unashamedly it was better than any other place he could be. And then he heard from God.
As I’m writing this even now I’m reflecting that children often spark my insight into the Father. But I think that’s biblical. We’re designed to have child-like faith. Faith that begins and ends with seeking to simply be with Him. Just as little Samuel, and just as the daughter at the pool, may we be a people that aren’t satisfied until we are with our Father.
God, may I be a woman that always seeks to be in Your presence. Who believes one day with you is better than a thousand days elsewhere.
Anna
