Here I Am

February 19, 2015

Opening Hymns:
191 Jesus Loves Me http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh191.sht

Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 3:1-11

 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

² At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place; ³ the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down within the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. ⁴ Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!”^[a] and he said, “Here I am!” ⁵ and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. ⁶ And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” ⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. ⁸ And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
¹⁰ And the Lord came and stood forth, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for thy servant hears.” ¹¹ Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel, at which the two ears of every one that hears it will tingle.


Message:

Are we listening? Are we ready to answer the Lord and call out “here I am”? Samuel was called by the Lord when he was just a boy, and his first task was not easy. Right away he is called to tell someone he loves of God’s punishment to come. Eli has allowed his sons to sin and eat the offerings meant for the Lord. While this message was a hard one to relay, Eli took it very well, better than others Samuel would prophesy to.

It is hard to stand up for the Lord’s justice. I can’t imagine how hard it was to be a prophet. Rare are the messages of “keep up the good work”. Instead, prophets are called to correct and straighten the paths of the corrupt. I’m not sure that Samuel, as a young boy, fully understood what he was getting into when he said “speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Other prophets seem to recognize how hard of a path they are being lead down. Moses begged the Lord to find someone else to fulfill his task (Exodus 3:11) While others are excited to be called, and are overly confident that they will never stray from God. Even though Jesus foretold that Peter would deny him, Peter was convinced that he would never stray from the Lord (Mark 14:26-31).

Where do you find yourself in your relationship with God? Are you hearing God calling out to you? Are you answering “here I am”? Are you asking God to find another to fill His call? Or have you recently discovered how hard your calling is?

Regardless of where you are at, the bible offers comfort, God is with each of us, He provides courage and strength for those who are overwhelmed with the path ahead of them, and He offers forgiveness for those who have fallen short. After Peter denies Jesus, Jesus returns, and forgives Peter. Peter had denied Jesus 3 times, but Jesus lets Peter profess his love for Jesus 3 times. (John 21:15-19)

Recently, I’ve found myself recognizing that the challenges ahead of me are harder than I thought. The young girl all wide eyed and excited has been replaced by an adult who finds more doubts and concerns than hope and faith. Nothing seems impossible when you’re a young child, mountains could move, and the world can be changed. As we grow older we face challenges, and are not always able to over come them.

Even though WE cannot overcome, it does not mean the Lord cannot overcome. No matter how far off the path, the Lord offers forgiveness. No matter how hard the challenge, the Lord offers strength.


Time of Prayer
Dear Lord be with all of those who need strength, healing and forgiveness. Guide Your children down Your path so that we can serve and do Your will. Forgive us when we fall short, help us when we are not strong enough, and bring us back to Your path when we wander off of it. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
462 Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh462.sht
Here I Am Lord

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God