Here I Am

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was. The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, "Here I am." Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." "I did not call you, " Eli said. "Go back to sleep." So, he went back to sleep. Again, the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. "Here I am, " he said. "You called me." But Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep."

At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD, because the LORD had not revealed anything to him, as yet. The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me." Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So, he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect. (1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19)

Too many of us say: “Here I am Lord. You called me,” but that “Lord” is not God – not Jesus Christ.  That “Lord” is the person to whom we have given our allegiance – someone to “Lord it over us” and who demands our loyalty.  We voluntarily become that person’s serf and do his/her bidding.   

Samuel was mistaken.  He thought the call was from Eli who then set him straight after a few tries.  Samuel finally answered, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."  All of us must do the same.  We are servants of God, and we must always listen.  

Those who call us to mindlessly support their cause and follow them blindly must be shunned and condemned.  Instead, we must “grow up with the LORD” not permitting God’s Word to be without effect.

Deacon David Pierce