Written by Aileen Bonilla, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador
Have you ever wondered why you were born? Or what is your purpose in this world? Many people, including believers, find this answer in the professions or careers that this world offers. In no way do I think it is wrong. However, despite having this clear in their minds, when it comes time to put it into practice, they forget what they were really created for. For this reason, as time passes, their lives become meaningless again. Emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual exhaustion begin to gain ground in their lives so they end up feeling empty.
Today, I want to tell you a little about Samuel, a man appreciated by God. Unbeknownst to him, he was handed over to the Lord since he was in his mother's womb. This child was desired by his mother with all her heart, and Jehovah was pleased to grant this wish to Hannah. She was constantly rejected and mocked because her womb was not "blessed." However, a humbled heart and a promise were enough for the King of kings to grant this wonderful wish (1 Sam. 1:20).
Hannah, Samuel's mother, decided to give him up for the service of God's people (1 Sam. 1:27). She was aware that it would not be an easy task, quite the contrary. After desiring this miracle so much and for so long, she simply recognized that life without serving God is not worth living. So, giving her child away, even from the womb teaches us much more than we can imagine: Do we want to give our children like this? You can take some time to reflect on this.
Although they were only going to be together for approximately three years, the period of lactation (1 Sam.1:24), she trusted that God would do something more for her and for her son, since she was totally sure that this child would fulfill an enormous purpose to glorify God.
Samuel became the last judge of Israel, fulfilled a priestly role despite not being from the tribe of Levi, and he was a prophet among the people. He walked with God every day. He understood that being part of the royal bloodline was no small thing. The priests, judges, and prophets fulfilled an important role before God and that was to intercede—they intervened on behalf of the people. Today, we Christians should also practice something similar, since the Word of God tells us that we are a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9). We can intercede through prayers so that God works on behalf of our brothers and sisters, and the whole world. This act is impressive and His love is so incredible that it allows us to confidently enter before His throne whenever we need His help (Heb. 4:16). And this, my dear reader, is an every day practice. Every day we must go to Him for help, even when everything seems fine.
Samuel was chosen to intercede for the people of God. He carried Jehovah’s message and correction. He brought words of love and mercy from the Heavenly Father for a barren people with a hard heart, like stone. And as if this were not enough, Samuel returned to the presence of God many times with unprecedented requests that the people made to God. However, Samuel was there asking God for mercy and help for all these people who still did not understand who Jehovah was.
The same thing happens today. We can see how many times the people of God continue to go astray, but at the same time they continue to claim their blessings. There is no doubt that God is good and His mercy is forever. And Samuel knew this perfectly since, through his temple service, he was able to get to know the living God more closely. Samuel had understood from a very young age what his purpose was on this earth, to serve the King through his gifts. This truth gave meaning to his life. We do not see Samuel complaining about his work, on the contrary, in spite of everything he declares the following: “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.” (1 Sam. 12:23, NLT) That is the true intercessory spirit, it is a spirit full of mercy and love for others. Despite their transgressions, Samuel kept praying for them because he also knew of the enormous power of God.
To be part of the royal lineage or the priesthood that Christ has given us today is to carry that spirit of mercy to the people of God (1 Pet. 2:9). This will make us grow and mature day by day, carefully observing the need for brotherhood. Just as Samuel gave himself completely to the service of the Lord and learned wonderful things in the same way we can too. The intercessory spirit of Samuel was manifested by the work of the Spirit of God, this is how the Spirit currently intercedes for us before the Father (Rom. 8:16-26).
Often, we are eager to serve the people of God intensely, but this is hard, demanding and exhausting work. Carrying the spiritual intercession for others on our shoulders is not easy at all. Samuel, despite having been a valuable and very spiritual man, also erred in neglecting his children. Perhaps, he did not do it intentionally, but the consequences of thinking that his children would learn to be like him were terrible, because his children were perverse and corrupt (1 Sam. 8: 1-3); they robbed the people and committed many injustices. This teaches us that we must intercede every day for our children because they should be the first to know Christ so that their lives can be restored.
Samuel teaches us a lot. He is a character that shows the need that the people of God should pray for everything. Even to make decisions that in our eyes may be small, but that can change our lives forever (Prov. 3:6). He also teaches us that our work for God will always be valuable as long as we do it with a sincere and humble heart, without seeking our own interests. We do not see Samuel claiming possessions, money, fame, position, or recognition; we see Samuel working with integrity, and a lot of respect.
Samuel had the wonderful blessing of being given over to the only living God, and it gave purpose to his life (1 Sam. 1:10). He was an upright judge and prophet in the eyes of Jehovah, and beyond his trades or professions, he dedicated himself completely to the King. He did not do it out of obligation, he did it because he had known from a very young age that there was only one Kingdom and one God.
Today I invite you to recognize God, and you can ask him to reign over your life and that of your family. Oh, Beloved Lord, we recognize that without you we are nothing, we recognize that many times we let other things reign over our hearts, and as if that were not enough, we ask you for blessings. Please forgive us and reign over us forever and ever! Amen.
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