I might name my child Samuel, assuming I have a boy. It has a juicy meaning: "heard of God". The old testament character came from a barren woman who gifted him to God as a vow.
He had his first conversation with God at an unwritten young age. Maybe an age too young to attract any significance.
He became a national prophet only 2 chapters after.
Dagon fell in His reign. The Philistines were driven back to their fort with tails between their thighs. He anointed Israel's first King, Saul.... Guided him to grandiose political and military victories. Anointed Israel's second king with the incumbent still on seat. Samuel was a /baed/ mehn!
He had a tall résumé; the kind that caused the powerful Witch of Endor to quiver in fear. In his presence, you prophesied. Everyone prophesied whether you were a prophet or not. He is comparable in many degrees to Moses who parted the red sea; to Elisha who wore a double portion of an already terrific glory... to the greats of ancient Israel.
But none of their glories are comparable to the NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVER.
They lived in the shadow. We live in the SUBSTANCE.
They had the Spirit ON THEM on occasions. We have the SPIRIT IN us FOREVER.
They lived by the law and were judged, if not killed by it. We live in Grace and are SAVED by it.
They obtained a good report. In Christ, We did more than have a clean behavior like them. We OBTAINED THE PROMISE!
They NEVER saw God;not even Moses! But we see JESUS!
They couldn't touch the ARK and not die. We touch HIM and live. We seat together, rubbing shoulders and much more, in heavenly places.
There were in awe of angels. No longer so!Angels are at our beck and call today. One of us is BETTER than ALL Angels combined by a factor of "so much". They burst into praise at Salvation without a memo!
Such is the power, the status, the glory of a redeemed believer. If Abraham was alive with his covenant, he would have tithed to YOU!
You are a KING and a PRIEST after the order of Melchizedek. You are a just man MADE PERFECT. Abraham jumped in joy at the revelation of who you are!
Jesus trumps Abraham. So do you! As Christ is, so are you!
Scream!!! SHOUT!!! You are in the reality Moses,Elijah, Aaron,Samuel,Daniel, Abraham and all Patriarchs of old couldn't touch.
Never compare your life with theirs. Never compare your faith with theirs. They are for examples. But never for practice. Yours is PERFECT.
