His predecessor, Eli, was rejected as a priest because he honored his sons above God.
The folks he grew up with “in ministry,” Hophni and Phinehas, were sons of Belial who desecrated the priesthood and the temple.
His own sons didn’t follow his ways and did all kinds of evil as priests; they were rejected by the people, which led to Israel demanding a king.
The first king he anointed, Saul, backslided and rejected God, and he was afterward rejected as King. All of these are enough for a man of God to despair and almost think himself a failure and ask why is it that nothing around me works fine.
After God rejected Saul, Samuel was inconsolable; he mourned and mourned; he retired to his hometown and remained there till his death.
Saul was literally his first “project,” and that project failed. Samuel must have questioned himself again and again.
Where did I go wrong?
What did I do wrong?
What could I have done better?
Didn’t I disciple him well?
God had to interrupt Samuel:
How long will you mourn for Saul?
Quit that pity party, Sam!
Stop drowning in sorrow!
Stop questioning and querying yourself.
Stop it!!!
Fill your horn with oil and anoint me a new king, and Samuel got himself up. David would be his second project.
What if he ends up like Saul?
What if?
These questions must have plagued his mind. Well, he went ahead and anointed David. He died before David ever became King, but David did not fail.
Christ Jesus sits on the throne of David today.
He holds the keys of David today.
He is called the Son of David!
Finally, something to comfort Samuel, even though he is now dead. A project that succeeded! A disciple that thrived! A son that didn’t fail!
And hear me, sir, dear Man of God, perhaps you now stand where Samuel stood.
And you’re questioning everything about your calling and ministry.
Perhaps things haven’t been working well in your hands. Started churches you had to close down, only to start another one again.
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People you have trained and laboured over who turned out badly. People you trusted would be your heir in ministry who betrayed and left you stranded in the wilderness.
And you’re asking.
Did God really call me?
Did I hear from God?
Am I not better off doing something else?
Will I ever raise a thriving disciple?
Hear what God told Samuel today.
How long will you mourn?
How long will you keep drowning in the pool of your own tears?
How long will you keep doubting the hand of God upon your life?
Get up!
Shake off the dust!
Take another step!
Take a BOLD step!
Raise men again!
Plant another church!
I say to you today!
That God will comfort your heart!
And reward your labour!
Demas may have left you, but Timothy will hold your hands in battle.
Judas may have betrayed you, but James will trudge on with you.
Peter may have failed you, but you will stand again and flourish again.
God will give you men!
He will surround you with labourers who will ease you of your pain.
He will give you sons of consolation.
Be of good cheer, dear man of God.
God is on your side.
You are NOT a failure.
Amen!
Credit: Popoola Oluwatobi
