Here Am I

Pastor Carol Grace ♦ August 9, 2024 ♦ Leave a comment

1 Samuel 3:1-9 (ESV)
The Lord Calls Samuel
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of 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 in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called Samuel, 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 your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

We all have words we love to hear. Who doesn’t want to hear the words I love you, or I’m so glad you’re my friend. Have you ever wondered about the sweetest words God ever hears? I suggest to you they are not I love you, nor I praise you, nor even have mercy on me. Instead, I believe the sweetest words God ever hears are, Here am I.

When we look at the stories in the Bible that give us strength and hope, the common thread is that when God calls people to help complete his work on this earth, He doesn’t seek the best or the strongest or the youngest, but the willing.

Samuel had been living with Eli for probably 8 years by now, and it is important that we are told “And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. “

Not only had Samuel never heard the voice of God, but it would seem God was no longer speaking to Eli. So, when Samuel first heard his name being called of course he thought it was Eli. But when Samuel realized it was God’s voice, he didn’t come up with a list of excuses as to why he couldn’t serve, he didn’t hide, instead his response was “here am
I. “

Today God’s call is still upon each of us. We have the benefit of having the Holy Spirit living within us and we have the completed word of God. We are each called to share Jesus with the world.

You’re probably thinking, oh preacher, don’t tell us you want us to go knocking on doors to invite people to church.” No, in fact I’m fairly certain that no longer works.

Before I left Asbury for my ministry, there were a couple of times when we went out for a few hours and hung door hangers that had info about our church and an invitation to come and visit. I wrote my name and phone number on the ones I gave out. There were about 200 each time I went out, but no one ever contacted me.

I think the more effective means of sharing Jesus is what used to be called lifestyle evangelism. Wherever we find ourselves during the day, we engage people in conversation. How are you, how’s your day going? You’d be surprised how people respond when they realize you really care about them.

If you want to be used of God to share Jesus with others, simply start your day by agreeing with God that this day you will do no harm, you will do good and you will stay in love with God. Ask God to send someone across your path to whom you can minister, and then get ready. You will begin to meet people who are hungry for human interaction. Whatever you say and do, do it in the joy of the
Lord and that just might be enough to give someone hope.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.