Who goes to church these days?

 Samuel

Priest and Judge 

             

       Were you raised in a Christian home? 

         Did your parents insist on you going to church each week? How about now? Has their faith become yours or have you left it behind? Parental faith doesn’t ensure continued church attendance; life’s difficulties, demanding jobs, or the lure of novelty often leads to apathy or downright discontent with the church. If you have left God behind, it’s worth giving him another chance. These feelings are timeless because we see them played out in biblical times.

      During the era of Israel’s judges, each year Samuel’s parents went to worship at the tabernacle. His mother had once suffered both the shame of barrenness and subsequent cruel taunting from her husband’s other wife. Yet after Samuel’s birth, she dedicated him to the Lord, and he served in the tabernacle alongside Eli, the priest. Israel had drifted from the Lord. In this lenient society, Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phineas, snatched the choicest of portions from the sacrifices, despite their father’s eminent priestly role.

 Near the flickering tabernacle light before a new dawn, Samuel lay close to the Ark of the Covenant. A strange and sudden voice startled him from sleep, and he ran to Eli.

“Here I am. Did you call me?”

“No, return to your bed.” On the third call, Eli realized God was speaking to Samuel.

 “Lie down again, Samuel, and say ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

    Samuel obeyed Eli and listened to God. Eli’s sons would die. The solemn message left Samuel deeply shocked, but knowing God was speaking the truth, he trusted God, who stayed close to Samuel, revealing himself through his word. The boy grew in integrity and all of Israel respected him.

     Many years passed, and the Philistines attacked Israel. They were a fierce and formidable enemy. They slaughtered thousands of Israelites and captured the Ark of the Covenant, the tabernacle’s most sacred possession. God had promised his people he would dwell between the cherubim on its cover. The Philistines carried it to Ashdod and displayed it in Dagon’s temple, but the next morning, Dagon’s statue crashed to the ground, and the head and hands broke off. God was tough on the locals because their actions had insulted his holy name. They sent the ark away on oxen to Beth Shemesh in Israel, and it remained in Abinadab’s home for twenty years. The nation mourned their defeat and wanted to worship God again. Samuel assembled the people at Mizpah, and they fasted and prayed. He reminded them of God’s mercy toward their forefathers and urged them to discard the gods of Baal and Ashtoreth. In shame, they realized they’d abandoned God and lost his favor. They repented.

 “We have sinned against the Lord.”

And after pouring out a water offering to God, Samuel became Israel’s leader. His selfless service had gained their trust because Samuel had remained faithful to God during the dreary years of defeat and desolation,

 When the Philistines renewed their attack, the nation quaked with fear, but Samuel encouraged them, putting his faith in God.

 “Keep crying to the Lord our God, that he will deliver us.” He offered a lamb, a burnt offering, as he prayed for his people, and God sent waves of deafening thunder across the battlefield. The Philistines fled, and the Israelites pursued them far from Mizpah. He was now a general.

 Samuel’s heart overflowed with gratitude and praised the Lord.

 “So far, the Lord has helped us.” And he celebrated their victory by naming the place ‘Ebenezer.’

 Loved by the people, he remained Israel’s judge until his death, travelling from Bethel to Gilgal and on to Mizpah throughout the year before returning home to Ramah. His sons, Joel and Abijah, didn’t follow his example, and when he grew old, the nation became restless and demanded a king. Under God’s direction, Samuel anointed Saul, but when he proved to be unreliable and arrogant, God sent Samuel to anoint David, the greatest of all Israel’s monarchs.

How does Samuel's life relate to us? 

   Both Eli and Samuel must have grieved over their wayward sons. Do you have family who despise the Lord, or are apathetic to the gospel? Don’t despair, but keep praying for them. The faithful prayers of godly parents are never wasted. The Lord sees your anguish, and will help you stay strong for him.

  Have you become disillusioned with God?

     Did your heart’s desire not eventuate, or have you suffered a terrible loss? Tragedy and hurt may blind us to God’s love, but he looks beyond the pain. He preserved Samuel through heartache, disappointment, and judgment. Similarly, Jesus suffered on a cruel cross, leaving his friends heartbroken and confused. They thought he would deliver Israel from the Romans. Instead, the Romans crucified him. Yet his death paid for the sins of the entire world, including yours and mine.

 If sin doesn’t concern you, it bothers God, and he’ll hold you accountable. Have you ever lied, or stolen, or lusted after someone? Who hasn’t? We have all disappointed our Maker and fallen short of his perfect standards. God loved the world, sending Jesus, his precious son, who died and endured the punishment for our sin. Since his sacrifice paid for yours, think about the price he paid. He deserves our love and loyalty. He’s the reason I’ve given him my heart, and it’s not because of my parents’ faith or any ritualistic belief. The Bible and God’s faithfulness are worthy reasons to believe and keep us focused on him.

 Consider these two scenarios: From an early age until his death, Samuel clung to the faith of his ancestors. God called him a life of committed service as a priest and judge. In these prominent positions, he blessed Israel and played an outstanding role in their history.

 Hophni and Phineas, Abijah and Joel gratified themselves with immediate pleasures, but passed into oblivion, far from God.

    If you believe God has disappointed you, look again. We’ve often disappointed him, but he never stops loving us. Why not give him another chance before it’s too late?

   Do you feel as if you’re living in a spiritual desert? Pray, and keep trusting, because God is closer than you think. And if you have lived for Jesus, but you find yourself surrounded with opposition to your faith, Jesus has promised to be with you forever. Hold fast to the Rock of Ages. Keep praying for your family and friends because our God is ever faithful.