Desperate
for a son, a woman named Hannah made a vow to God that she would give her
first-born to the Lord. When he was born, she called his name, “Samuel,” which
means, “heard by God," because God answered her prayer. She said that Samuel would
be “lent to the Lord” all the days of his life (I Sam. 2:11). All the days of
his life, Samuel “ministered to the Lord” (I Sam. 2:11, 18; 3:1).
In
those days, ministry to the Lord meant service in the temple, and Samuel served
before the Lord even before he actually knew the Lord (I Sam. 3:7). But there
was one night, when God called Samuel (I Sam. 3:1), and from that time on
Samuel knew the voice of the Lord.
During
that time period, there had been no revelation in the land of Israel (I Sam.
3:1). However, God raised up Samuel to hear the voice of the Lord, and release
the Word of the Lord in the land (I Sam. 3:19-21; I Sam. 4:1). God let none of
Samuel’s words fall to the ground (I Sam. 3:19).
In
a time where there was no revelation in the land, God raised up a prophetic
voice from one who ministered before Him. Does God need someone to minister to
Him? No. Does God want someone to minister to Him? Yes. Why? Because God
desires partnership with His people.
Does
God need someone to speak for Him? No. Does God want someone to speak for Him?
Yes. Why? Because God desires partnership with His people.
God
raised up Samuel who name was “heard by God” to become someone who “heard God”
and spoke His Word. And God will do the same thing even now—with us.
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