Dedicated to God, But a Stranger to His Heart

Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

“The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.” —1 Samuel 3:19

Not too long ago, I met someone for the first time who had read one of my books. During our conversation, that person recited to me specific things that I had written about in the book, even acknowledging they felt like they knew me because of that “print” knowledge they had read about. Yet to that point, we had not been in a mutual relationship with one another. Knowledge had been transferred, but a real life heart connection wasn’t there until we met in person. In a similar fashion, we can believe in Jesus and have a keen knowledge of His teachings, even do mighty works in His name, yet still be a stranger to His heart (Matthew 7:21-23).

In our third part of this devotional series in 1 Samuel, we see that even though Samuel had been dedicated to the Lord by his godly mother, Hannah, and was living in the temple, he still didn’t “know the Lord” (v.7). The Lord’s voice was foreign to the young boy. Surely he knew about Him, but had not yet come to know God intimately through a living personal relationship. Even children raised in a godly household with moral knowledge and spiritual disciplines must still experience the new birth of being converted by the Spirit of God (John 3:3), and learning the Great Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27). Jesus taught that this comes simply by asking in faith (Luke 11:9-13).

The Lord called upon Samuel at a time when spiritual revelations were “rare,” and visions were uncommon. As this story plays out, we see how critical it is to go all-out-for-God and to serve Him uncompromisingly in times when godly devotion is uncommon. Samuel’s first missional assignments would have huge implications on his people both spiritually and politically—declaring judgment on the rebellious house of a priest (Eli) and anointing the first two legitimate kings of Israel (Saul and David).

Though Samuel was a young worshiper, he learned early on that as a true prophet he must speak the words of God and never hide them. Speaking the truth in love may not be easy, but it is essential to growing up in spiritual maturity. God calls upon Samuel to warn Eli, an elder whom he respects, about the judgment that is about to come to his house “for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them” (1 Samuel 3:13).

Samuel was faithful in that he listened to God intently, was characterized as one who called on the Lord (Psalm 99:6), summoned his people to return to God, and never lost his compassion for them in doing so (1 Samuel 12:23-24). He was consistent, steadily growing up in the presence of the Lord, and growing in favor both with the Lord and also with man. Samuel didn’t just have the “print” knowledge about God while remaining a stranger to His heart; his intimacy with the Father grew deeper throughout the tenure of his life on earth.

Samuel is an example of how we should never settle for knowledge of God without genuine relationship with Him, or service for God without companionship with Him, but to consistently grow intimately in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Father, we want to know your heart, and not just your teachings. Holy Spirit, lead us into that intimate relationship of daily abiding and knowing, as we continue to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

Questions for personal reflection, small group discussion, or dinner table conversations:

1. What can cause people in our day to have a knowledge about God yet still remain a stranger to His heart?
2. What did Samuel assume about the voice he heard in the night? (1 Samuel 3:5) How many times did Samuel come to Eli before Eli realized what was happening? (vv8-9) How did Eli instruct Samuel to react to the voice he heard? (v9)
3. What future events did God reveal to Samuel that night? (vv11-12)What was unique about Samuel’s words as contrasted to those of the other priests? (v19) What was Samuel’s relationship with God like after God first spoke to him? (vv19-21)
4. What characteristics of the boy Samuel made him a suitable person to hear from God?
5. In what ways can you make yourself available to God this week, to know His heart more intimately, to hear His voice more clearly, and to grow in relationship with Him?

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