"And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord."
1 Samuel 3:19-20
The first prophecy that Samuel was given was a hard word of judgment on the house of Eli, his foster father and mentor. It was a message so hard that Samuel was afraid to deliver it, but Eli insisted that he hide nothing. Samuel gave him the message out of a broken heart, because he loved the old priest. When Eli heard it, he said “It is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him.”
From then on young Samuel began to be recognized as a prophet of the Lord, and we have this breath-taking statement, “and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.“
If Samuel said it, you knew it was going to happen. If Samuel spoke on behalf of God, you knew it was God’s opinion you were hearing.
May God send us pastors today who speak from a deep place of communion with God so that whatever they say won’t fall to the ground, it will be a true and reliable message from God.
God give us godly laymen, too, whose hearts are so full of the Word of God that when they give counsel you can hear the wisdom, the kindness, and the righteousness of truth in their words.
God keep us faithful to His Word so that we humbly hear, and listen, and respond.
Lord, today more than ever we need to hear your Word faithfully preached, taught, and spoken in counsel. We need hearts that respond in faith to your gracious promises and in humble obedience to your commands. Give us these gifts, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles