LIVING OUT – Post 1 out of 5 – Samuel

Introduction

For a long time 1 Timothy 4: 12 has been an inspiration and challenge to me. Now I would like to challenge other young people to take hold of this verse and the examples in the Bible of people who lived it out. And here it is:

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Being young is not an excuse to be bad or be immature spiritually so don’t use it as one and don’t let others do it either. I don’t know how old Timothy was but I know he was considered young and he was a leader of the early church. Never let your age be the reason not to serve God and be an example of Christ to those around you. All of the commandments in the Bible apply to you. God has a purpose for you not just in the future but right now where you are. The purpose of this devotional is to challenge and inspire you to be like the young Biblical characters I will point out to you and see how you compare to them. I will use each one of them as an example for one or more of the areas pointed out in 1Tim. 4:12.

Samuel

His story starts in 1Samuel before he was even born. His mother Hannah is praying for a son and tells God if you give me a son I will give him back to you. And God grants her request and Samuel is born. As soon as he’s old enough to not need to be nursed she takes him back to the temple and there he stays under the care and guidance of Eli. Even as a young child God uses him to minister and one night God speaks to him directly. He tells him that he is going to punish Eli and his sons. Samuel is afraid to share this information with Eli but after prompting from Eli does tell him. After this Israel is defeated and Eli and his sons die. But eventually Samuel will become the head priest and gets to anoint both Saul and David. This is obviously not the whole story but I want to point some things out to you by asking you some questions.

Can you imagine hearing directly from God?

Can you imagine being imparted to warn one of the elders?

Can you imagine being a young child and being able to minister to a priest?

These are all realities for Samuel and they can be for you too. You just have to learn to listen spiritually like Samuel. You probably want hear an audible voice but you can receive spiritual wisdom from God. Samuel was raised in a temple, which means he was surrounded by spiritual things all the time. Surround yourself with spiritual things pray, read your Bible, spend time worshiping God, and surround yourself with other believers. Put yourself in the position to grow and you can be a spiritual giant and be used of God to give messages to others.

The Challenges

- Pray and read your Bible every day for at least a hour

- If God imparts some wisdom to you don’t be to afraid to share it

- Refuse to believe that being young stops you from being spiritually wise or God using you to speak to others

Memory Verse:

1 Samuel 2:35

And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that should do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

Reading for Samuel:

1 Samuel 1-7

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