Here I Am

Last week we were introduced to Samuel as the baby his mother, Hannah had promised back to the Lord.  This week we will look at the man of God Samuel became.

Let’s read 1 Sam 3:1-21

There are two phrases that resound through this passage, two phrases that should resound in our lives: “Here I am” and “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

Samuel served the Lord in many ways.  He was a priest, serving at the sanctuary of Shiloh.  He was a prophet.  He spoke God’s words, interceded on behalf of the people and pronounced judgment when necessary.  He is probably most remembered as Israel’s last Judge.  Recall we’ve met other Judges like Deborah and Samson.  Samuel was a bit different from the other Judges though.  The previous Judges were often warriors, seeking to defend Israel from its enemies.  Think Samson.  Samuel was less of a warrior and more an administrator of justice.  He is the figure that moved Israel from the period of Judges to that of a monarchy.

Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel.  During Saul’s reign, Samuel often spoke for God and had to rebuke Saul many times.  Look at what he says in 1 Sam 13:13-14.  Israel’s king was to keep God at the center of all he did.  Saul failed to do that.  Therefore, the kingdom was taken away from him.

Samuel goes on to anoint David king of Israel.  A monarchy was kind of a step backward for Israel.  They already had a king, God.  Samuel knew this and pleaded with Israel to see it.  However, Israel wanted to be like all of the other nations.  They wanted to have what everyone else had.  Sound familiar?

God granted Israel a king under the condition that the king center his life and that of his kingdom solely upon God.  Saul failed to do that.  We talk more about him next week.  Samuel was steadfast in his devotion to the Lord.  His issue was righteousness.

The Dictionary describes righteousness as “in accord with moral law, free from guilt,  decent, ethical, honorable”  Samuel was surely all of those things.  But are we?  Nothing drives me more crazy than a Christian who acts righteous.  A person who appears holier than thou is not righteous, they are self-righteous and there is a big difference between the two.  A person who is made righteous by God (like Samuel) knows how unworthy they are and seeks to extend the mercy God as given them to others.  A self-righteous person beats up the people around them with their own sense of morality.  These are the people who think, I’m saved, its a pity your aren’t”  Look at Samuel’s example and see if you find one shred of evidence that this is righteous behavior.  I offer you Biblical proof that you won’t.  The first step in being righteous is getting over yourself.  Why not try it?

Ask yourself the following questions:

When people ask me for something, do I respond “here I am”?

Do I ever really listen to others?  To God?

Like  Samuel, am I willing to deliver a hard message when its needed?

Am I ethical and honorable?

Am I free from guilt?

Am I righteous or self-righteous?  What is the difference?