Samuel's Response to God's Call

1 Samuel 3:1-21

By: Gabril Grayce Gaby Gandey

(Source: https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/magazine/ensignlp.nfo:o:81.jpg)

Samuel started his ministry when he was young. Samuel was the answer to his mother's prayer, so he was dedicated to being a servant of God at Shiloh. Samuel's duty was to guard the ark of God and to keep the lamp of the house of God. While Samuel was sleeping, he heard a voice calling him. After hearing it, Samuel then gave a response to the call. After giving a response, the voice then said something to Samuel. How did Samuel respond to the call, may it be a valuable lesson for all of us.

In those days, the Word of God was precious, and there was no open vision. God finally did his grace by calling Samuel. Samuel received grace through the voice of God. At first, Samuel thought that the priest Eli had summoned him. However, after he went to the priest Eli, it turned out that he did not call Samuel. Three times God called Samuel, and Samuel still didn't understand that it was God's voice. Until finally, Priest Eli realized that it was the voice of God calling Samuel. He also taught Samuel how he should respond to the call.

The fourth time when God called Samuel, God not only called but also appeared. As the priest Eli had taught him, Samuel responded to God's call. Samuel's answer "Speak; for thy servant heareth" shows Samuel's readiness to hear God speak to him. Readiness is a prerequisite for hearing God's Word. And this is Samuel's response to God's call that he is ready to hear what God has to say.

Samuel, at a very young age, was called by God to reveal His will. Through Samuel, God said that God would do something in Israel and judge the priest Eli's family for the sins committed by his two sons. It was no accident that God revealed His will to Samuel, but God was preparing Samuel to become a prophet.

PoV: God is an all-knowing God. God knows and governs all the secrets of the future. Before Samuel was born, God had appointed Samuel to be a part of His work. God even used Samuel when he was very young. God called Samuel to convey His will. Like Samuel, now maybe God is also calling us. Through His gentle voice, God calls us to be a part of His work. Sometimes we may think that we are too young to be used by God. However, through Samuel, God stated that God uses all people regardless of age, background, and so on. The question is, "do we want to respond to God's call, like Samuel?" Think and pray about this so that we can respond to God's call according to His will.

God's call, answered very well by Samuel. Not only did he respond to God's voice, but he also obeyed God's will and commandments so that  Samuel was used to be the prophet of God to serve God and the Israelites. Samuel is an example to all of us, especially us as young people, how we should respond to God's call.

References:

Bible King James Version