Heroes of the Bible: Remaining Faithful Through Your Later Years Sýnishorn

Today’s Hero of the Bible: Samuel

Samuel was getting old and beginning to struggle, and everyone knew it. He had been a great leader in Israel, faithful in his service to God and to his nation. But now a new leader had to be found. It should have been one of his sons but their lives were unacceptable. He had taught them and they knew what was expected of them, but clearly their reckless lives showed that they did not care.

Samuel's grief is something many older Christians know. Our children do not walk with Him. We had such high hopes for them but they have been sadly disappointed. Our sorrow and anxiety are intense.

What made this sorrow worse for Samuel was that the people of Israel were rejecting God Himself. They wanted a king. That was too much for Samuel. Could the people not trust God to raise up a new leader? That was what He had done when Samuel replaced Eli. But no, they wanted to be like the nations around them. After all God's goodness and wisdom towards them, they made this sad request.

There was only one thing that Samuel thought of doing in response. Today’s passage tells us that “he prayed to the Lord.”

We too must pray. It seems almost trite to say something so obvious but it is important to do so. Unbelieving children may be your sorrow today. Other issues, including the state of our nation, may cause you deep sorrow and distress. It is your privilege to copy Samuel and to beseech the Lord of heaven to save your children and those of fellow grieving believers. Samuel is an encouragement to keep on praying. The Lord hears and does answer: Samuel lived to see David raised up by God.