1 Samuel 3:4 (NET) - The Lord called to Samuel, and he replied, “Here I am!”
The Lord called to Samuel several times before Samuel responded to God.
Initially, Samuel thought these calls came from Eli.
It was Eli that first understood that the Lord was calling Samuel.
He instructed Samuel to return and listen for the call once more and respond accordingly.
The Lord called Samuel again.
1 Samuel 3:10 (NET) - Then the Lord came and stood nearby, calling as he had previously done, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel replied, “Speak, for your servant is listening!”
Something similar happened to Paul when he visited Corinth.
Paul was busy proclaiming Jesus to the Jews who lived there.
They rejected Paul’s teachings, so he turned his attention to the Gentiles.
Many of them heard Paul.
They believed and were baptized.
The Lord then spoke to Paul in a vision.
Acts 18:9-10a (NET) - One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you
Paul continued his outreach to the Gentiles.
His letters make up a good portion of the Bible we have today.
Paul’s response to God’s call would eventually cost him his life.
And, when God called Samuel, He told him that He was going to judge Eli.
He then instructed Samuel to tell Eli.
This must have been extremely difficult for Samuel.
What about us?
Does God still call?
Does He call us?
I believe He does.
Perhaps, like Samuel, we do not recognize His call.
Or perhaps we are too busy or distracted.
Maybe we choose not to listen.
We might even be afraid.
We find the silence around us comforting.
We even find it safe.
For silence asks nothing from us.
But God’s call can be frightening.
It is certainly uncomfortable.
The evils of the world still exist.
Is God calling us to speak out against things like hatred, racism, and injustice?
We do not need to be afraid when God calls us to speak out.
As God told Paul, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you.”
Is God telling us the same?
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 22, 2021.
I will be back here on Friday, November 5, 2021
