I Samuel 3:16
So Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. But Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.
This was a very difficult task for Samuel. This verse speaks of how fearful he was. Eli was his mentor and father figure. We aren’t sure of his relationship with Eli’s sons. Were they as older brothers to him? He has to share fatal news about Eli, his sons and the future of his family. These people made up Samuel’s world.
Verse 17 has Eli applying pressure on Samuel to tell all. ‘He said, “What is the word that He spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. May God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the words that He spoke to you.”’ Samuel is reluctant to share such devastating news to his mentor and caregiver.
While this was a difficult task, speaking it was the right thing. The Lord most likely shared this with Samuel so he would pass this on to Eli. The Lord had probably been prodding Eli for years about the behavior of his sons. It may be that Eli had been ignoring the Lord’s voice for so long that he had become dull of hearing. God had to deliver His message through another; a boy.
The Lord puts us in situations to mature us. He won’t overwhelm us with something beyond our ability to handle. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “…God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able…” We may feel differently. Things may seem too much. He is faithful and will come through for us.
Lord, help us in those difficult times. Thank You for Your faithfulness. You’ll be there to guide us through.