Samuel

God's Teenage Heroes -- Samuel
The great prophet Samuel was born because of a mother’s prayer and promise to God.  
Hannah’s womb was barren and she felt shame and sorrow.  During a yearly visit to
Jerusalem, she prayed at the door of the tabernacle, entreating God to give her a son.  
She vowed if God “will give your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the
Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head” (1 Samuel 1:11).

Eli the priest blessed her, and soon after the incident Samuel was born.  True to her
word, when he was old enough, Hannah brought Samuel to the tabernacle to minister
before the Lord.  There Samuel exhibited a degree of youthful godliness that young
people today can mimic.

Samuel Fulfilled A Commitment His Mother Made For Him
Samuel had absolutely no control over his mother’s vow.  Yet he was noble and
dependable.  Even though he never made such a promise, his mother made it, so
Samuel kept it.  Samuel recognized his responsibility to “honor your father and mother”
(Exodus 20:12), and he honored that commitment.

Samuel was not irritated with his mother for ‘running his life’.  He was not angry
because ‘she never asked him what he wanted to do’.  He was not jealous of the rest of
his friends who got to do their ‘own thing’.  Samuel fulfilled his obligation without
complaining.

Sometimes parents make commitments for us because they know we are capable of
accomplishing the task.  Sometimes they are just trying to teach us responsibility.  The
Bible says “It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:27).  
Parents volunteer us for certain activities and responsibilities because they have
confidence in us.  How do we respond?  Do we ‘blow our top’ or fulfill the commitment
they make for us?

Samuel Ministered To The Lord Before Eli
Even as a youth, Samuel realized that his service to God must come first.  Likewise,
Jesus stressed “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).  Undoubtedly, he enjoyed the same fun
activities as other people, but recognized there is also a time for serious business.  
Samuel did not treat the serious things of God lightly or frivolously.  He knew their
importance and magnitude, “Then the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli” (1
Samuel 3:1).  

Somehow, I cannot imagine Samuel laughing and cutting up when the time came to
worship God, can you?  Worship is a solemn activity—not because it is boring, but out of
reverence for the One being honored and praised.

Even as a youth, Jesus recognized the necessity and importance of “being about my
Father’s business” (Luke 2:49).  Youth is a time of energy, strength, and stamina.  
Therefore, we are encouraged not to waste those precious years, but to busily serve
God.  “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days
come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”
(Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Samuel Was Eager To Serve
He was ready and eager to comply with Eli’s requests.  In the middle of a sound sleep,
in the late night hours, Samuel heard someone calling him.  Immediately, he came
running to Eli, saying “Here am I” (1 Samuel 3:4,6,8).  He was ready to do whatever was
needed.  Even though inconvenienced, Samuel was glad to serve Eli in any way.

How would we have reacted in the middle of the night, if we had been awakened three
times?  Would we roll over and go back to sleep?  Would we think ‘What does that old
goat want now… If he didn’t want me the first time, then why is he calling me again… I
think I will just stay in bed this time’?

Parents need help from the whole family.  Work needs to be done, and when we have
the ability to lend a hand, we need to be ready and willing to do it.  The Lord also has
much work to be done in the kingdom.  Are you willing to serve and be used by Him?  
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’  
Then I said, ‘Here am I!  Send me.’” (Isaiah 6:8).  

Samuel Gained The Respect Of Adults
As Samuel grew to adulthood, he did so with dignity, gaining the respect and admiration
of all Israel, “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and
men” (1 Samuel 2:26).  There was no doubt where Samuel stood.  He was on God’s
side and everyone knew it (1 Samuel 3:19-20).

Young men and women have to earn the respect of adults.  Therefore, while we are
young, we must work extra hard to live completely above reproach.  Teens must watch
their language, companions, and actions (Titus 2:6-8).

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct,
in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).  Take a close look at that command.  
Paul does not command adults to respect young people here.  He commands the
young to live such lives that no one will be able to despise you.  The weight of that
responsibility is on young people.  We, like Samuel, must gain the respect of our elders
by the lives we live.

Conclusion
Youth is a time that is full of vitality, enthusiasm, and strength.  You have advantages
now that we tend to lose as we grow older, “The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is their gray head” (Proverbs 20:29).  Don’t throw away
those qualities on insignificant activities.  Use those advantages to benefit the kingdom
of God.

Strive to be like Samuel.  Make your life as a young Christian really count for something!

--Rob Harbison