Vessels of Grace

The prophet Samuel is one of my favorite Biblical characters. In part this is due to his sensitivity and submission to the Lord from an early age, his faithfulness as a judge and a prophet, and the complexity and uncertainty connected to the future of Israel. Samuel was the linking character between the “time of the Judges” and the “time of the Prophets”. However, his life was anything but a bed of roses.

Although we don’t have the space to flesh much out about him, we read this about his transition into the latter part of his ministry life:

I Sam. 8:

When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. 3 Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice. 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.

For some of us, this is a familiar story. The scriptures do not record how his sons’ training, transition into important spiritual/political positions, or their removal from their offices occurred. It is not recorded how this seeming failure with his sons affected his emotions, life, and ministry functioning at times. I suggest that this is likely a most painful time in Samuel’s life, and in the following verses things only get more intense.

However, unlike Eli, the judge before Samuel (and Samuel’s mentor), God did not rebuke Samuel for ignoring his son’s behavior, nor does the author of I Samuel fault Samuel in any way for his son’s rebellious and destructive ways. The indication is that they were removed. While Samuel was likely not a perfect parent or role model (none of us are), he seemingly had been a faithful one. God was using, blessing, and empowering Samuel, NOT because he had it all together with the model family and a resume of worldly, measurable success. In his grace, the Lord was leading and using Samuel as his mouthpiece to his people due to His faithfulness, and Samuel’s faithfulness.

Remember that this public, humiliating, “failure” on the part of Samuel came before the greatest impactful moments of his “ministry career”. The rebellion of his sons comes before Samuel anoints Saul as king. It is before he anoints David as king, and the Messianic Davidic Kingdom is established. This is before the most significant time in his ministry life as a well-regarded hero of our faith.

God doesn’t bless and honor Samuel because he had it all together, and no longer struggled with everyday temptations and sin like the rest of us. He used and blessed Samuel because of His “lovingkindness” and His “grace”. Samuel suffered and grieved but he didn’t give himself over to sin and unfaithfulness. He did not “turn aside after gain; take bribes and pervert justice”.

When we are contrite, humble, and faithful, we are assured of God’s forgiveness and grace. He only saves and uses us because of His grace. He only can use us in measured and lasting ways when we engage our needs and our limited influence over others and situations. But when we throw ourselves on His mercy, the doors of his blessing are kicked open wide, and the blinding light of the glory of God shines in.

Who knows? Our greatest fears and perceived failures may indicate that God is ready to use us in ways we never imagined. We will never know, though, if we put our trust and hope in the wrong things; if we fail to constantly throw ourselves on His grace and loving-kindness.

Is. 57:15

For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.


Father Tom