And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. 1 Samuel 3:1.
Young as he was when brought to minister in the tabernacle, Samuel had even then duties to perform in the service of God, according to his capacity. These were at first very humble, and not always pleasant; but they were performed to the best of his ability, and with a willing heart….
If children were taught to regard the humble round of everyday duties as the course marked out for them by the Lord, as a school in which they were to be trained to render faithful and efficient service, how much more pleasant and honorable would their work appear. To perform every duty as unto the Lord, throws a charm around the humblest employment and links the workers on earth with the holy beings who do God’s will in heaven.38Patriarchs and Prophets, 573, 574.
The life of Samuel from early childhood had been a life of piety and devotion. He had been placed under the care of Eli in his youth, and the loveliness of his character drew forth the warm affection of the aged priest. He was kind, generous, diligent, obedient, and respectful. The contrast between the course of the youth Samuel and that of the priest’s own sons was very marked, and Eli found rest and comfort and blessing in the presence of his charge. It was a singular thing that between Eli, the chief magistrate of the nation, and the simple child so warm a friendship should exist. Samuel was helpful and affectionate, and no father ever loved his child more tenderly than did Eli this youth. As the infirmities of age came upon Eli, he felt more keenly the disheartening, reckless, profligate course of his own sons, and he turned to Samuel for comfort and support.
How touching to see youth and old age relying one upon the other, the youth looking up to the aged for counsel and wisdom, the aged looking to the youth for help and sympathy. This is as it should be. God would have the young possess such qualifications of character that they shall find delight in the friendship of the old, that they may be united in the endearing bonds of affection to those who are approaching the borders of the grave.39The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1021.
Conflict and Courage p. 144
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my family. My Best Friend had a miscarriage, my Father might have to go the ER and other family member is having fighting a disease. We are in need of prayer. A
—-Please pray for Mary who is losing her sight. Pray also for our family because we are having a huge miscommunication problem. Buck
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Dear Friends,
About two years after Ron and I were married, we wanted to buy something to live in. Since there were only two of us and we weren’t making much money, a trailer seemed to be a good solution. Up to this time we had been living with his parents.
After work, we began our search. We visited all of the trailer sales lots in town so we could find just the one that was right for us. When the salesman showed us one trailer after another, we began to grow weary. They were all so small. Finally we entered an 8×28 used travel trailer that had a slide out just big enough for the sofa. “That will give you more room,” the salesman assured. The slide out was shoved in, but he explained how it would look when it was shoved into place. He artfully kept our minds on the good features of the ancient trailer and hoped that we did not notice the problem areas. We were young and inexperienced, so we believed every word he said. We had such high hopes and dreams. We visualized years of wedded bliss in this trailer that was now our very own.
After it was set up and we moved in, however, all was not bliss. We began to notice those problem areas that the salesman had hidden. With the slide out shoved into place, we saw what the salesman did not want us to see—a large spot in the floor where the wood was rotten. As we pressed our foot on it, it sunk down ominously. Looking up, Ron saw the cause of the problem—a leaky roof.
Soon it was winter and our trailer developed other problems. With sinking heart, we discovered that our trailer was not made to live in year round. As the Michigan temperatures dropped, we developed more problems. The heater just did not keep us warm. The trailer had no insulation and Northern Michigan gets very cold in the winter. When I mopped the floor, the water froze and we had our own private skating rink until the temperatures got warmer. One day, as I walked into our tiny living room, I noticed that it was snowing—-inside! A fine mist of snow was spraying from around the slide out. I was so discouraged.
Finally spring arrived with all the normal rain. It was like living under a waterfall there were so many leaks in the roof. I placed buckets under them all and miserably huddled on the sofa trying to keep dry. I was thinking rather uncomplimentary things about that salesman who had sold us this “albatross.”
Summer brought its own disappointments. Mosquitoes took over our living quarters. Not just one or two mosquitoes, but clouds of them moved in. We were miserable. If we went outside, we were covered with those blood sucking insects. If we went inside, we were covered with those biting creatures. There was no escape. In desperation, Ron pitched his pup tent in the living room, so we could at least sleep in peace.
How much like that crumbling travel trailer are the allurements of sin. The evil one shows us the “good features,” but carefully hides sins consequences. Only after we have “bought” his “bill of goods,” do we realize that we have made a grave mistake. Only after being caught in his snare do we see the folly of our ways. With sinking heart we realize that we are bound with the cords of sin— cords that we cannot break. Day after day passes, bringing with it more and more misery.
Praise God! We do not have to stay in that condition. Our Loving Saviour has provided a way of escape. He will break those cords that hold us so tightly in the grasp of the enemy if we ask Him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 What a great sacrifice! What great love! Think of it. Jesus left the glories of Heaven to die on the cross that we might have eternal life. The adoration of the unfallen inhabitants of the universe meant nothing to Him, as long as we were ensnared in the enemy’s trap. His Great Heart of Love filled with “compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.” Lam 3:32
Isaiah foresaw our Dear Saviour’s sacrifice. He says, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isa 53:3-6 He endured so much for us that we might dwell with Him in His Heavenly Kingdom. What wonderful love! It is beyond comprehension!
May we accept fully this free gift of salvation, that we may be delivered from the evil one and follow our Dear Saviour out of a heart full of thankfulness and love is my prayer.
Rose
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