No Generation Gap

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.

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.
Conflict and Courage p. 144
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
——Please continue to pray for Adrian and his friend who are in critical condition after an accident. Eileen
——Please pray for B as he makes an important decision. L

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
About thirty years ago my mother had taken her aunt Blanche out to eat at a restaurant and was driving to her house, when, suddenly, the car accelerated to full speed. They were on a short, quiet side-street that had at the end a group of trees. My mother had been driving about 25 miles an hour, but when the car started running at top speed, she was instantly going over 80. The two women could see the trees looming closer. My mother tried the brakes, but they were powerless to stop the car’s racing engine. My mother just did not know what to do. She knew if they continued as they were, in just a few moments their lives would be over. Fear and panic swept over her.

Auntie Blanche looked over at my mother and could see the terror written on her face. Calmly she said, “Geneva, what is it that makes the car run? What should you do to keep gas from flowing into the engine?”

My mother looked at her, reached up and turned off the key. As soon as she did that, the car began to slow down. Then my mother could apply the brakes successfully and stop the car at the side of the road.

The two of them sat there for a few minutes trying to calm their racing hearts. Then they walked to my mother’s house a block or two away. This was very difficult for Auntie Blanche, who had rhumatoid arthritis and walked with two canes, but she did not complain: she was too thankful to be alive.

When the mechanic looked at my mother’s car, he quickly found the problem. A little spring had broken and fallen off causing the car to run wide open. That little spring was only a little part to a large engine, but it was a very important part.

It is this way in God’s church. Paul uses the illustration of the body. He writes, “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Cor 12:14-26

In His eyes, each person is like that little spring. Each individual is important to Him. “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand. 139:17,18 He has redeemed us. We are His children. He loves each of us with an everlasting love.

Sometimes those in a responsible positions are tempted to think that they are more important to God than others. But each person is important in God’s sight. We might be tempted to think of someone as usless, but God sees them in a whole different way. As He told Samuel so long ago, “for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7 He sees the motives, He sees the love and devotion for God, He hears the humble soul’s petition.

May we see others as God sees them. May we draw together in truth and love. May we reach out to those we meet and bring them to the foot of the cross.
Rose