The thing that made Samuel great, in a time when God had little impact on Israel, was that Samuel was ready to serve. The passage tells the story of Samuel hearing from God. Since God had been quiet, Samuel had trouble understanding his call. He ran to Eli, the priest. Eli finally figured it out, and taught Samuel how to respond. Samuel obeyed, and that was the beginning of a revival in God’s chosen nation. 1st, God kept his promise as it related to Levi; and second, God began to prepare and Use Samuel to lead the people. The Lord was with Samuel, and He did not allow any of Samuel’s words to fall to the ground–simply put, if Samuel said it, then it came true!!!
God wants nothing more than to bless His chosen. If we will trust the Lord; if we will simply follow Him and do as He says–then He will honor and bless us. Samuel was the first recorded prophet. He acted as a objective liaison between God and the priests and leaders of Israel. We are God’s chosen and like Samuel–we are to be the liaisons between Him and the chaotic Godless world in which we live. In God’s word, we learn to hear Him. As we listen, He will reveal his truth and, like Samuel, our words will not fall to the ground. Paul said it best in 2 Corinthians 5–As Christians, we are new creations. we are called, in vs. 20, to be His ambassadors in the world–but not of it. If we will do that, we will enjoy an abundant, purposeful Christian life!
God Bless You
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel… v8 Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God,[a] and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”…v19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
Walking With God 