August 5, 2023: The Boy Samuel

“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” (1 Samuel 3:1, ESV)

This first verse of chapter three tells us much about Samuel. It gives great hope to families that keep Christ at the center of their home life. 'The boy Samuel' served the Lord. Powerful, encouraging words! The Hebrew word for boy speaks of a child between newborn and puberty. Most people guess that Samuel was in the puberty age range.
    
But look at what he was doing! He was 'ministering to the Lord.' He was doing work in the Tabernacle under Eli, the priest. It was a routine ministry with spiritual significance that young Samuel was doing. We also know that, as of this time, Samuel did not know the voice of the Lord. Parents should always be directing their children into routine ministry with spiritual significance. A devotional life is an example of a routine ministry with spiritual significance.
    
By doing so, parents position their children to encounter God. Hannah, Samuel's mother, dedicated Samuel to the Lord. She positioned him under the priest to learn to serve the Lord. In this service, Samuel heard the voice of the Lord and began to grow as the prophet of God.
    
Parents and grandparents, do not underestimate the capacity of your child to serve God at a young age and to learn to hear His voice!