1st Samuel 25:1 THE GODLY MAN CEASETH From childhood to old age Samuel was the spiritual link of the nation of Israel to God. The priesthood had failed and had been the scene of divine judgment on those who thought to do God's things in their own way. By the time of the death of Samuel, only Abiathar remained of the priesthood and he was with David in the place of rejection. Samuel had been rejected by the people who wanted a king like the nations around. He had welcomed Saul as king even though it meant he was replaced by a man of the flesh. He counseled and sought to give guidance to Saul into that which was right even when he realized that Saul was only a man of the people.
The man of God even when young, was established as a prophet of the Lord. He lived to see the deterioration of the nation to the extent that the insane king sought to kill the one who was anointed king after him. The heights of blessing to which Israel should have gone, was now a place of sorrow. Ramah, "the heights," which should have, and could have been the place of blessed fellowship with God for the nation, not just Samuel, now was a place of desolation and loss. As Psalm 12 begins, "Help, Lord: for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." Perhaps David wrote those words at the death of Samuel when "all the Israelites were gathered together and lamented him." No one can really take the place of another. Samuel was a unique person chosen by God for a particular time in the life of the nation of Israel. Each of us has a role to fill and a work to do which is unique to us. We are not here "to fill the shoes" of one who lived their life for God. God raises up those He chooses to meet needs He alone knows.
There is a special impact on others of a godly life of one who has devoted his or her life to God and His people. The spiritual fragrance of that person's words and testimony is not ignored even by the most carnal of people. Saul may have been "head and shoulders" above the people, but Samuel was higher by far than Saul, when he was down on his knees in intercession for the failing king. Saul was essentially a self- centered, cowardly man who lived in the darkness of his own heart. How absurd it was for him, the king of a nation, to be leading an army of 3000 of his choice warriors in a search for a young patriot who had 600 men with him and was guarding the possessions of the people against marauding bands of those who would steal from them. David had won the hearts of the people as a true shepherd cares for his flock. His courage, his faith in God and his grace even toward the king who pursued him to the death, endeared him to those who knew him.
When there are tears shed at funerals like were shed at Samuel's funeral at Ramah, it is well that we take time to learns the lessons that can be learned best at "the house of mourning." We need to take time to consider the goals and motivation of our lives. We need to look ahead to the time remaining for us to see it there are changes we should make in order to better serve our Lord. We need to consider the needs of others and find out if we can be effective intercessors on their behalf like Samuel was to those of his day. We need to look beyond our death-day to make sure there is nothing we have left undone or of which we might be ashamed. If there are corrections to be made, we need to make them.
A person of faith who lives quietly and consistently in spite of all the turmoil going on in the world, has an influence on others that may not always be acknowledged but cannot be denied. Such a life lived for the Lord is of great value when it is reviewed in the light of the scriptures and history. The real worth of a person's life and labors may not be felt nor understood until after the Lord takes that person home. In the life of Samuel, we are impressed that the urgent prayer of a mother like Hannah, and the support of a father like
Elkanah, establishes a solid foundation for the life of their child. The consecration of a child to God does not mean that child will be perfect, but that that young person will grow up being conscious of God. Hopefully that child will appreciate what that means, and he or she will dedicate their life to the service of the Lord and His people in a way that is suitable to their characteristics and the teaching of the word of God.
There is a spiritual vacuum created when a man of God dies that needs to be filled as soon as possible. Saul was spiritually dead and had no guidance to give the nation that was of any value. Spiritual leadership was missing in Israel until David became the king. I expect David was one who greatly mourned the passing of Samuel, and so penned a psalm like Psalm 12 as a way of remembering the godliness and impact of a life lived for God in his day. From that place of mourning he went to Paran where God in grace met Hagar and Ishmael. It was there the children of Israel stopped when the cloud that guided them by day through the wilderness "rested." From Paran the spies were sent to search out the promised land. Mount Paran was where Moses said the Lord shined forth and came with "ten-thousands of saints." "He loved the people; all the saints are in Thy hand: and they sat down at Thy feet; every one shall receive of Thy words."
It was a good place to which David went because God was able to "shine" there again. It was there he met Abigail, and there she declared to David her faith in God, and in him as the future king. We may not always understand at first the significance of a place and event, but when we find our way to where God has been pleased to bless in the past, it may be, we are where He can bless in the present and in the future.
We mourn their passing, those ancient saints, And wonder at our own future as we ponder The worth, the value of those who lived with no complaint, Even though many of the people of God do wander. But then it comes to mind that even here and now Our Gracious God remains eternally just the same. In faith we take up the task not knowing how, But trusting Him alone, we press on forward in Jesus' name.
We are not told of each event nor of what will be the end Of these days of labor through which we presently are passing. It is not up to us to know the final results, but His who us did send To do His bidding day by day our tasks in faith compassing. And when they come to remember us in some future day - Hopefully they will be able to remember our faith, And possibly, as they reminisce, they will be able to say, "He was one who demonstrated daily God's redeeming grace."
I pray Father God, that when death-day comes for me, I will have left a positive legacy of some kind to my family and God's people that will bring glory to Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."