1 Samuel 3:21

REFLECTIONS

I WOULD pause over this delightful Chapter, which the Holy Ghost hath graciously caused to be written for the edification of the Church; and in the call of Samuel desire to bless God for all the early manifestations, which the Lord hath been pleased to make to his people.

Who can venture to call in question the work of God, upon the heart of his people, when in the instance of a child like Samuel, we see that works so strikingly manifested, and at a time, when the rich partaker of this unspeakable grace, knew not the Lord, and was unconscious what grace meant. Let any Reader compare the striking dissimilarity, between the hoary Eli, and the young child Samuel: And then let him determine, (for to his own decision I leave it) what but grace, could have made all this difference.

If the Reader be among the youthful part of mankind, let him reflect upon the blessed manifestations here recorded, to have been made to Samuel. And are you not anxious, I would say, my youthful friend, to enjoy the same? Do you not feel the rising prayer, in the soul; Lord, manifest thyself to me! if not in a way so splendid, yet at least in a way so gracious, as to Samuel, that I may be a partaker also, of the grace which is in Christ Jesus!

And let not the most aged of my Readers close the book, and take leave of this Chapter, without first having dropped the knee in prayer, or praise. In prayer; if so be, that no evidences of the renewed life be found in his own experience; that the same God, who called Samuel, would, though at the eleventh hour, call him; and in praise; if the Lord hath manifested himself, as in the case of Samuel, to his soul, otherwise than he doth to the word.

Blessed Lord! help my soul to praise thee, under the humble hope and assurance, that thou hast called me out of darkness into this marvellous light, and translated me from the power of Satan, into the kingdom of thy dear Son; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.