Part 4
Samuel
Further, in the third chapter, we have another experience in the life of young Samuel,
“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh; for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.” (Verses 19-21).
Sometimes we find young people growing (I speak not of physical growth), and we are confident the Lord is not with them. They are growing in worldly prosperity – in business; perhaps they are able to write bigger checks, and drive finer automobiles; they are growing, but we cannot add the last of the verse; “And the Lord was with him.” Growth in fellowship and companionship with the Lord Himself is what we desire for you. The result of that was,
“And did let none of his words fall to the ground.” In other words, he was building day by day steadily and solidly that which would stand. The Lord “did let none of his words fall to the ground.” The only way I know to do this is, going on building according to the specifications laid down in this grand book of God’s plans.
Dear young souls, if you are building your lives according to the specifications laid down in the precious Word of God, you are building for eternity, and not building that which is to be torn down, and go into ashes in that coming day when everything will be tested. If you are building in accordance with the precious Word of God, you are building that which will abide.
There is much of what is called the wisdom of this world, yet one of the characteristics of it is this, that no sooner is one thing established, than something else comes along and sweeps it away, and then we have what is called the latest theory. I was struck with that recently while in R. I was speaking to a prominent doctor about a technical book on a certain subject, and the advisability of getting hold of that book. He said,
“You know the trouble is, by the time you get the hook, it may be out of date.” I thought, what an admission on the part of one who occupied a position of learning in this world.
But here is Samuel, and he is living such a life that the “Lord did let none of his words fall to the ground.” What is truth today, is truth tomorrow. It has that enduring character of God Himself. A life lived in communion with God, is a life that goes on and on.
“He that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
O, the privilege of living a life like that! I know if we could just simply, and with confidence accept that for our own pathway, what sorrow we would be saved; what unhappy reaping we would be spared, and yet we know it is the truth. It is here in the Word, and it is for you and for me.
Dear young Christians, I wish that you could take that verse, and nail it up over the lintel and door posts of your heart.
“Them that honor Me, I will honor.” Seize hold of it! Grasp it while you are young, cling to it through life, and see it return to you in that coming day.
(Concluded)