1 Samuel 3:1-21 “A Call to Serve”
INTRODUCTION
One of the most difficult theological concepts to comprehend, I believe, is that of call—that the Lord calls us to a specific vocation. Most Christians can accept the idea that pastors and other church professionals have received some sort of a call—why otherwise would they willing choose such a job. Yet, few Christians understand that the Holy Spirit moves in their lives in a similar way to pastors and calls them, also.
Today we read the story of the Prophet Samuel’s call. In doing so, we can learn a great deal about how God moves in our lives and calls us.
THE SCENE
The book of Samuel is part of the historical or narrative books of the Old Testament. These books begin at the Israelite’s occupation of the Promised Land and continue through the Exile, or as some call it, “The Babylonian Captivity.”
These books record the actions of an increasingly rebellious people. Instead of destroying the inhabitants of the land, which the Lord had given them, the Israelites allowed them to live. The Israelites began to adopt their ways and to worship their gods. It isn’t surprising that the main theological theme of these historical books is how to keep the first commandment, “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me.”
It is to a rebellious, faithless, selfish, unjust people that Samuel is called to serve. Samuel is to speak God’s word to the people, to call them to faith and to a renewed relationship with God.
If the truth be told, Samuel was called into a situation that isn’t all that different from the one we are in. In an increasingly secular society, fewer and fewer people seek to live in a relationship with God. Most people follow after their own gods, and their world revolves around themselves. The time in history and the geographical location may be different, but the people are the same.
THE CALL
Samuel had been dedicated to the Lord by his mother Hannah. He had been raised in the temple by Eli the high priest. One night Samuel heard a voice. A first, he thought it was Eli calling to him, but Eli denied it. Finally Eli realized that the Lord was speaking to Samuel, and Eli advises Samuel to open himself to the word of the Lord. Sometimes we don’t hear or understand our calls. The Lord doesn’t appear to stop calling to us, though, until we answer the call.
The call came to Samuel at night. Night has been given a bad rap. It’s the time of boggy men, violent attacks, and scary storms. The nighttime hours are also at times of quiet, of reflection, and of listening. Samuel had to be quiet in order to hear the voice of the Lord. If we are to hear the voice of the Lord and hear our call, it is necessary for us to turn off our MP3 players, televisions, computers and all the other noise making devices in our lives.
The Lord called Samuel to a specific task. Samuel was faithfully obedient to the Lord and to the call he had been given. Samuel came to be known as a trustworthy prophet of the Lord. Not all of Israel’s problems were solved. Israel continued to be a rebellious nation, but the people did hear the word of the Lord through Samuel, who was faithful to his call.
OUR CALL
Every one of us has received a call at the time of our baptism. The Lord has called us by name and proclaimed that we are his son or daughter and that he is well pleased with us. We have been adopted into God’s family, and called to be followers—disciples—of Jesus Christ.
The Lord also has a specific call for us. God calls some into the ministry. The Spirit moves in the lives of others and calls them to be teachers, firefighters, financial counselors—the whole gamut of vocations. Hearing our call and answering it gives us a sense of identity and a sense of purpose.
So, what is your call? Have you heard God calling you in the night? Have you answered the call and know that you are where God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do, and that it is no coincidence that you are at this time and place?
CONCLUSION
Our nation and our world need to hear the word of the Lord. The only way that is going to happen is through our actions and deeds. We have a call. Let us be true to that call and honor the Lord in our lives.
Amen
