Day Nineteen: Samuel – Working between God and Man
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 11:32; 1 Samuel 1:1-3:21
Introduction: Samuel is known in the Bible as a prophet (1 Samuel 3:20), a priest (1 Samuel 7:8-10), and a judge (1 Samuel 7:15-17) of Israel. His importance to the emerging kingdom of Israel can hardly be overstated. His birth itself was the result of the direct intervention of God (1 Samuel 1:20) and his mother kept her vow to the Lord and dedicated her son to serve the Lord all of his days as a Nazirite (1 Samuel 1:9-11). Samuel served as Israel’s spiritual leader all his life. He is best known for his role in anointing both Saul and David as kings of Israel. During his entire life, he was a faithful, unerring servant of God. He spoke to the people and her kings without partiality and without fear. His role as intermediary between Israel and God can probably be best seen as Israel sought to have a king. God had not intended the nation to have a king. He was their king (1 Samuel 8:7). Eventually God told Samuel to find the king He had selected for His people, but Samuel didn’t mince any words in describing to the people what this would mean for them (1 Samuel 8:10-18). Nevertheless, the people were determined to have a human king like the surrounding nations (1 Samuel 8:19-20). Samuel led them faithfully through this process and anointed Saul to be their king. Later, when Saul failed miserably to be faithful to God, Samuel anointed David as their king. While Samuel respected these men as kings, he did not hesitate to confront them about their sin. He confronted Saul for taking on the role of the priest and offering a sacrifice to the Lord (1 Samuel 13:8-14). He was God’s man to the end.
Application: Samuel shows us how to be a man of God. He walked with God throughout his life and spoke the good and the bad from the Lord to the people. We’re able to see how a faithful believer straddles the Kingdom of God and the world of men as we watch Samuel serve God and the people of Israel. Samuel teaches us that loyalty and love of people requires that we speak the truth to them when they have strayed from God, even if it isn’t popular. The world needs such men and women today. Our country has lost its way. God’s people must stand in the gap and pray for the nation and the Lord’s church. We must speak the truth in love to both as well, knowing that regardless of the message, our desire is for those around us to hear a sure word from God that can help them turn to Him and walk faithfully with Him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for calling me to serve You. I understand that my role as an ambassador for You means that I must share Your Word with those around me, both within and outside of the church. Help me let others into my heart that I might share Your truth with them so they might find You and live faithfully before You. Help me to speak Your truth in love that others may know You as I have come to know You. Amen.