Thursday, January 21, 2010
Here Am I
(I Samuel 3:4-10)
Spiritual sensitivity makes all the difference in life. Though Samuel had not yet come to know the Lord (7), his spirit was sensitive to the overtures of the Spirit of God. His heart, prepared to meet the Lord because of his service in the Tabernacle, yearned for reality in matters of religion. And his young ear, ever attentive to his master’s call, desired the voice of a higher calling still.
Eli was polar opposite of Samuel. His eyes, along with his spiritual perception, had grown dim. Age and experience, coupled with the ensuing apathy of sterile religious liturgy, had dulled the spiritual passion of earlier days. Long ago the old man had given up on seeing divine intervention in his life and the life of the nation. Though still the priest of the Lord, Eli was just tending the store, keeping up appearances. He was old, fat, tired, and spiritually dead.
Then the Lord visited His people. Not in the thundering of Sinai, but in a still small voice did the Lord interrupt Samuel’s slumber. God’s purpose was not to affright; rather, He was gently calling a sensitive young man to the prophetic office. And Samuel responded.
Initially, the young man thought Eli had summoned him. Had it been the case, Samuel would have gladly rendered assistance. Eli, however, had not called. Comically, Samuel’s inquiry of Eli followed each beckoning of the Lord—awakening the lazy old priest from his stupor. Finally, Eli’s senses returned enough for him to suggest the possibility that the Lord was speaking.
And so it was that Samuel at last heard his higher calling. And, more than merely hearing, his eager young heart answered for service—“Here am I.”
