1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for your servant hears. Speak; for thy servant heareth. The wellknown picture by Sir Joshua Reynolds, representing the child Samuel in the attitude of prayer, aptly expresses the spirit of his whole life. His own language in response to the call of God does this still more perfectly, and "contains the secret of his strength." It also teaches us how we should respond to the Divine call which is addressed to us, and what is the spirit which we ought ever to possess. For God speaks to us as truly as he spoke to Samuel, though in a somewhat different manner. He speaks to us often, and calls each of us to special service for him; and there cannot be a nobler aim than that of possessing the mind, disposition, and character of a "faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21) here portrayed. This implies - I. CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE MASTER'S PRESENCE. 1. Peculiar; not merely a general belief in his omnipresence, such as most persons have, but a realisation of his presence here; not as in a dream, but in full waking thought; not as if he were at a distance from us, but "face to face." "Thou God seest me." 2. Intense; filling the soul with the light of his glory and with profound reverence (Job 42:6). 3. Habitual; abiding with us at all times, carried with us into every place, and pervading and influencing all our thoughts, words, and actions. II. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE MASTER'S CLAIMS. "Thy servant." His claims are - 1. Just; because of - (1) What he has done for us. He has given us our being, and all that makes it a blessing (1 Samuel 1:11). He has purchased us at a great price (1 Peter 1:18). "Ye are not your own" (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). (2) Our consecration, to him (1 Samuel 1:28). "I am the Lord's" (Isaiah 44:5). (3) Our acceptance by him. 2. Supreme. All other claims are inferior to his, and must be regarded as subordinate to them. 3. Universal; extending to all our faculties, possessions, etc. "My gracious Lord, I own thy right To every service I can pay, And call it my supreme delight To hear thy dictates and obey. What is my being but for thee, Its sure support, its noblest end Thy ever-smiling face to see, And serve the cause of such a Friend?" (Doddridge) III. LISTENING TO THE MASTER'S DIRECTIONS. "Speak." "I am waiting to hear thy commands, and desire to know thy will." "What saith my Lord unto his servant?" (Joshua 5:14). "What wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). His directions are given by - 1. His word, in the law and the gospel. 2. His providence, in the various events of life, affording fresh opportunities, bringing new responsibilities, indicating special methods of service. "New occasions teach new duties." "There are so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification" (1 Corinthians 14:10). 3. His Spirit; teaching the meaning and application of the word, suggesting thoughts and activities in accordance with his revealed will, filling the heart with holy and benevolent impulses. "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God" (John 6:45). "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters" (watching with the utmost attention forevery indication of their will), "so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God" (Psalm 85:8; Psalm 123:2; Habakkuk 2:1). IV. READINESS FOR THE MASTER'S WORK. "Thy servant heareth;" stands ready to obey - 1. Whatever thou mayest direct. 2. With my utmost strength. 3. Promptly; without delay. When it pleased God to reveal his Son in me, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, but went (Galatians 1:15-17). When Ledyard (whose life was the first of many sacrificed to African discovery) closed with the proposal of the Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Inland Parts of Africa to undertake a journey in that region, and was asked how soon he would be ready to set out, he replied, "Tomorrow morning." The like promptitude should be exhibited by every "good and faithful servant." - D. Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. |
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