Apotheosis: “Laying Aside” Yourself for the Gospel – Saeed Abedini
March 16, 2014 Leave a comment
Remember the Scripture’s account of the boy Samuel from 1 Samuel Chapter 3?
One night after young Samuel had gone to bed, he heard a voice calling his name. Quickly he ran to Eli’s side, saying, “Here am I; for you called me.”
“I called not,” Eli responded; “lie down again.”
Samuel obeyed Eli and returned to his bed. When he lay down again, he heard the same voice call his name.
Samuel hurried back to Eli’s side, but Eli again denied calling him. Puzzled, Samuel returned to his room. A third time he clearly heard his name called, and again he returned to Eli.
This time Eli realized that it must be the Lord who was calling Samuel. He said, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”
Samuel returned to bed and waited. Once more the Lord came and called, “Samuel, Samuel.”
This time Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
The Lord then told Samuel that because Eli’s sons were disobedient and because Eli did not control them, they would be punished and Samuel would become the new prophet.
Because of his diligence and obedience, Samuel continued to learn and grow. The Lord was with him, and all Israel knew that Samuel had been called to be a prophet of the Lord. (emphasis mine)
Cindy Wity 