We preach Christ crucified

Samuel – An ideal boy whose prayers were answered

Samuel was the firstborn child of Elkanah and Hannah who lived in the hill county of Ephraim. He was born in response to incessant prayers following a long wait. His mother was a devout woman, and she named him “Samuel” as Lord answered her prayers. Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him (Psalms 127:3). Children are gifts from God and are a blessing. Proverbs chapter 22 and verse 6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” Samuel was a boy who was disciplined and brought up in the right path by his parents.

Jesus loves small children and is very fond of them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them” – Matthew 19:14. Bible has placed great importance to kids.

After a gospel meeting, D L Moody once said to his spiritual friend, “Brother, today two and half people have received the born-again experience.” His friend replied, “So, two adults and once child have born again!” Moody said, “No, its two children and one adult.” When one child submits his life to Jesus, an entire life is saved and will be available for God. On the other hand, a good portion of an adult’s life is already lost. Children, you have great possibilities and God needs you. You should turn your lives to God during your childhood, and that’s the sole purpose of sharing this word of God to you. At your age, you have a remarkable ability to easily grasp and remember everything that you see and hear. You are wax to receive and marble to retain.

Samuel is an ideal boy whom you can follow. “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.” – 1 Samuel 2:26. His mother Hannah had completely surrendered Samuel to the Lord when he was a child. “So, now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” – 1 Samuel 1:27, 28.

Dear children, have you committed your lives to the Lord? One day while Samuel was sleeping in the church, Lord called him by his name, “Samuel! Samuel!” Children, our Lord Jesus knows each one of you by your name, he knows your strengths and weaknesses. When he heard God’s voice, he responded by saying, “Lord, your servant is listening.” It means that he was ready to listen to whatever Lord commands him. “As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him” – 1 Samuel 3:19. Dear Children, you should also grow up as obedient, disciplined and God-fearing kids.

God started talking to Samuel when he remained faithful to the church and grew up as a God-fearing boy. As days went by, God made him a prophet who would convey His message to the people. God blessed Samuel and he went on to become the judge and priest of Israel. He then established prophetic schools where there were many disciples.

Philistines and Israelites were enemies. Samuel prayed to God to help Israel defeat them. Jehovah brought down a loud thunder on the Philistines, and they were terrified and ran away from there. As a thanksgiving to the Lord, he took a stone and set it up at that place where Lord gave them victory and called it “Ebenezer” which means thus far the Lord has helped us. (1 Samuel 7:12)

Dear children, Lord has great hopes on you. He will bless you and give success in all walks of your life if you remain loyal to Him and lead a pious life. Our God who blessed young Samuel will help you prosper in your lives. He will make you the head and not the tail.

You are born to win. You should become popular as God’s children. I am writing this message to you with the only desire and prayer that you should become holy and victorious. You should pursue your dreams by passing them through the flames of faith and molding them in the crucible of perseverance and prayers. Let Jesus Christ be your Lord and leader, and you will reach the shores of victory.