Here I am Lord!

1 Samuel 3:1-9, “Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 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! 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. The LORD called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

Don’t you love this exchange with Eli and Samuel and Samuel and God? God was calling Samuel and he didn’t realize it. How often do we find ourselves in a similar place? Notice that the witness about Samuel’s call by God came in an age when visions and the spoken word from God were ‘rare.’ It appears as though God is remedying that lack of awareness by humans of God’s presence and intent for us. So He spoke to a very young man named Samuel. God introduces and ushers in a longevity of witness.

I knew a church member who fought against God’s call until one day she relented and she said, “Here I am Lord.” Reminiscent of Samuel. Have you responded “Here I am Lord?” It sure feels good to yield to God and no matter what else happens you will always feel known by God.

Prayer: Here I am Lord. Use me for Your Holy purpose. Direct Your will to be my will. You know the struggles and You also know that if we would but yield to You that our angst in the struggle would vanish. Please let Your will be done in me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. AMEN