The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Samuel 3:2-10, “It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well),

3 and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was,

4 that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.”

5 Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, lie down again.” So, he went and lay down.

6 The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So, Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “I did not call, my son, lie down again.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him.

8 So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy.

9 And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

Children are simply precious! Oh, I know they can be difficult at times; but when they are in a sweet mood, there is nothing in this world like a lovely, little child. Not all children, however, have the maturity of submission required to serve in a holy capacity, like the boy Samuel. A strange voice in the dark would scare most children. But Samuel was no ordinary child. His birth came from spiritually dedicated parents. His mother so desired a child that she begged the LORD for one! She simply would not take “No” for an answer – not even from the LORD. Such dedication and determination must have touched the LORD’s heart; thus, He gave her a son.

The Scripture is silent regarding how old young Samuel was at that time, or how long he had been with priest Eli, or whether, or how much, he knew of Eli’s two sons and their immoral behavior. We will have to await eternity to learn many things (if we even need to know them!). Notice, too, that Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’ Yet, Samuel dared not to speak the title “LORD,” but simply said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” What would you have said? How vital it is that we maintain communication with the LORD! Are you praying regularly?

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

Until He becomes all that we have.” — Corrie ten Boom