Old Testament Prophets: Samuel

What great inspiration and encouragement we might gain from the exemplary lives of the Old Testament saints. Their love for God, their love for the people they served, and their determination to serve God are but a few things we might gain for our instruction.

First, consider Samuel’s instructions to the sons of Israel after they chose Saul as their king: “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile. For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.” (1 Sam 12:20-22)

Follow the Lord! Serve Him with all your heart! Do not turn aside to futile things! And do not worry for the Lord will not abandon you for the sake of His own glory. Beautiful!

Second, consider Samuel’s resolutions in His service to God: “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.” (1 Sam 12:23-25)

I will pray for you lest I sin against God! I will instruct you in the good and right way! Oh if that would be the resolutions of pastors today, how much healthier and vibrant would the people of God be—that pastors would commit themselves wholly unto the ministry of prayer and of the Word, as the apostles did in Acts 6:4, “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word,” and appoint others to handle the logistical matters.

Indeed, immediately Samuel prayed for them and taught them three weighty principles for living unto the glory of God:

1. Fear the Lord. “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt 10:28) “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil 2:12) “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl 12:13-14)

2. Serve Him in truth with all your heart. “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.” (Josh 24:14) “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Rom 1:25) “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” (Deut 10:12-13)

3. Consider what great things He has done for you. “Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; but they do not pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, nor do they consider the work of His hands. Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, And their multitude is parched with thirst.” (Is 5:12-13) “Because they do not regard the works of the LORD nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up.” (Ps 28:5) “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb 12:3)

Father, may I be a man like Samuel who will fear you and follow you and serve you with all my heart, a man who will be resolved to pray for your people and a man who is devoted to the ministry of your Word so that I may instruct in the good and right way of eternal life.