God's new start (4) Samuel

The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. And Samuel’s word came to all Israel. 1 Samuel 3:19-4:1

We have followed the story of Hannah and her husband Elkanah, of Eli the tragic priest of Israel and his corrupt sons, and of Samuel, the baby born to Hannah as an answer to her prayers (his name sounds like “heard by God”.

And so God’s new start gets under way, and everything is fresh for the people of Israel.

Now it’s true, of course, that God doesn’t repeat himself in history; yet I think we can pick out of this story certain features of what has sometimes been called “revival”. If we pray again for God’s renewal in our own time there are various things we are likely to see… 

1. It starts small.

The new start of 1 Samuel 3 had its origin in an ordinary Israelite family – an otherwise unknown woman in great emotional distress who cries out to God, and a husband who stands by her and tries hard to comfort her. We’re not talking here about great prophets or preachers or charismatic personalities (that comes later).

This is a pattern which is often repeated – think of Moses the baby left to drown in the River Nile, or David the last of Jesse’s sons, or Simon the Galilean fishermen. No blasts of trumpets or shouts of rejoicing; just God working his eternal purposes out through the most ordinary of people. Not to forget, of course, the baby born to a peasant girl and laid in a manger.

Any family – or individual – could be the starting-point of a new initiative of God. Could that be you or me?

2.   2. It involves sacrifice.

How wonderful it must have been when Hannah found she was pregnant! Yes, indeed. But wait a minute: there was a heavy price to pay – that longed-for child was dedicated to the service of God in the temple at Shiloh, so her parents didn’t have the joy of seeing him grow up at home in those early days. Oh yes, they visited him, of course; but is that the same?

To be ambitious for the glory of God is a great thing. But let’s not be naïve. Read not only the Bible but also church history, and you see the sheer sufferings of men and women who were specially used by God. And again, read about Jesus and his cross.

3.  3.  It calls for deep personal holiness.

When Samuel first went to serve Eli at Shiloh he was still a child, in days when “the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions” (1 Samuel 3:1). But he heard the voice of God – “Samuel! Samuel!” – and responded to it; something he never stopped doing till the day he died.

It’s no coincidence that God called a child: all innocence and teachability. We easily become cynical and world-weary as we grow up – the very opposite of “pure in heart”, to use Jesus’ expression. And didn’t Jesus say plainly that, in order simply to enter the kingdom of God, we must become like little children? Do you still have a child-like faith? Do I?

4.   4.   It doesn’t happen all at once.

In 1 Samuel 3 Samuel is still a young boy; and we don’t meet him again until chapter 7, as a grown man. Of course, he needed to do some growing up before God could really use him!

It’s true that revivals sometimes burst right out of the blue – the Day of Pentecost and the baptising of the Holy Spirit is the classic example. But even very sudden revivals have been prepared by God quietly and unnoticed, perhaps for many years. So keep persevering in prayer.

The writer of 1 Samuel 3 does give us a brief progress report at the end of chapter 3: “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up… All Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognised that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord… And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.” God has his own sense of timing - and he can’t be hurried!

5.   5.   It is centred on God’s word.

The God of the Bible is a God who speaks; and his word has life and power. I love the little expression we find in 3:19: God “let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.” His words hit home; none of them were wasted or barren; they stirred people’s hearts and challenged their minds.

It was said of Jesus that “he taught as one that had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matthew 7:29), and I think that the Old Testament writer means exactly the same thing of Samuel. No boring, tedious diatribes, but living words uttered in the fresh power of the Holy Spirit! Oh for more of that today!

So… a renewal begins: the old gives way to the new, and it won’t be long before David arrives on the scene.

But, sadly, we have to finish on an unhappy note. I invite you to fast-forward to chapter 8 and verses 1-3. It doesn’t seem as if Samuel’s sons were as bad as Eli’s, but…

Which serves to remind us that renewal is something we constantly need, never something we can take for granted or count on.

Living Lord God, please come on your church today in fresh power and vitality. And, if it is your will, please make me part of the process, however great the cost may be. Amen.