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Samuel - Asked Of The Lord
Samuel - Asked Of The Lord
People in the Bible were often named either for the character or the circumstances of their lives. So here, ‘Samuel’ – ‘asked of the Lord’.
He was one of many children of ‘barren women’ to whom God gave a child.
· Sarah and Isaac – Gen. 16:1-2; 18:11; 21:1-2
· Rebekah – Jacob – Gen. 25:21
· Rachel and Joseph – Gen. 29:31 -
· Manoah’s wife – Judges 13:3f
· Elizabeth and John – Luke 1:7, 36f
Now in 1 Samuel, Hannah prays for and is given Samuel.
During such troubled times as the period of the Judges, God raised up people to accomplish HIS purposes and plans. The judges themselves are such people. Here, God’s man of the hour is Samuel.
While not all such men were men of faith and virtue (read Judges again!), many were. Samuel was a godly light in the dark times of the Judges. He truly was a man of God.
It was impossible for the people at that time to understand and know where God was taking history. We have the advantage of looking back and watching God work in the lives of people to accomplish HIS will. Hence, we can discern what God was doing with them, BUT, we are not able to discern how He may be using us.
We have no revelation concerning our lives or any specific plan (who to marry, what career to pursue, how many children to have, etc.). Rather, we are the fulfillment of God’s purpose to have a people of His own. We who are In Christ are God’s people, the fulfillment of God’s purpose – His eternal purpose (Eph. 3:11). God’s purpose for us is to be a people that bring forth praise unto Him (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14), not only by our praising Him, but by living so that others see God through us (cp. Matt. 5:16). Such happens as we walk according to His Word.
Recall what Paul wrote to the saints in Thessalonica (1Thess. 4:1-7): “This is the will of God, your sanctification (vs. 3). This we know because God gave us instructions as to how we ought to walk and please God (vs. 1). He gave us commandments that instruct us (2).”
Now, we are to “cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2Cor. 7:1). Peter proclaimed that we are to be holy even as the LORD is holy (1Pet. 1:15-16).
Thus, we are to be as shining lights in a dark world. We are to let our light shine so that people will see our good works and glorify God. Let us strive to be the brightest bulb we can be. Are you living so that people will praise God?
Hugh DeLong
