Presence

What does it mean when Scripture said, "Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:21)?"  Here's what it doesn't mean:

1. He had a perfect family.  Samuel lived in Eli's house with Eli's sons, both evil priests.

2. Israel was stable and peaceful. Israel was a country filled with corrupt leaders, and Samuel's calling would place him in difficult and dangerous conflict with some of those leaders.

3. Samuel's people were faithful followers of God.  Samuel's people envied being like the people in the land.  They had forgotten God called them to be different, peculiar, and chosen.

I wonder if God is saying something simple and profound.  Maybe 2 things:

1. God's presence rises above our circumstances.  In Philippians 4:7, Paul called it "peace that surpasses understanding."

2. God's presence lifts us out of our circumstances.   Psalm 130:1 says, "Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD."  The Psalmist goes on to say God heard the cry and lifted him up and set his feet on solid ground.

Oh, and that first word ... "Meanwhile."  Do you know God is present with his people when life is happening all around us?  Culture ... God is with us, guiding us.  Turmoil ... God is with us, teaching us.  Victory ... God is with us, keeping our heads from getting too big, or too self-centered.  Defeat ... God is picking us up, and encouraging us to go on in His perfect grace.  

Samuel, because he prayed, listened, communed with God, and lived in God's presence, saw a God that was bigger than anything he faced.  That same God was strong enough to give him the strength to live out his calling.  May we all live in that blessed place!