I Samuel 3:20
“All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.”
Being a prophet was uncommon. The standard was 100% accuracy. The people in time would learn of a prophets reliability and gain trust in him. Samuel was completing the trust building stage.
The word confirmed is something bestowed by God. One may claim to speak for the Lord. If that’s the case, God will confirm it. The people recognized that Samuel was God’s mouthpiece.
God has a plan for us all. For some, it will be grand. For most, it will be average or more behind the scenes. Does the Lord confirm us in our lives? I Peter 5:10 says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” Yes. The word “established” tells all that we are built and operated by God and His principles.
It’s not immediate. Suffering contributes to the molding process. Proverbs 14:14 says, “The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.” When we first come to Christ, we are full of our own ways. But as trials befall us, we begin to trust in Him and say, “Thy will be done.”
As we submit to Him and begin to trust in the work that He does, He bestows favor upon us. Psalm 31:19 says, “How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, and bestowed on those who take refuge in You in the sight of the sons.”
Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” The Lord tells us that as we trust Him with our resources, He’ll flood us with more resources. So, does He bless us in the area in which we trust Him? It would makes sense, but He’s God and knows what’s best for us.
The Peter passages assures us that we will be established. Just as Samuel was confirmed by the Lord as Israel watched, so will He establish and confirm us in the area of His choosing. It may not be the area where we may have anticipated, but as we follow His guidance and blessing, it becomes evident to all.
Our place might be large, medium or small, based on how He’s gifted us and His leading. I Corinthians 12:13 says, “and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable.” While this passage points out that we are all important, it also stresses that some have smaller or behind the scene roles. That’s fine. That person may be more introverted and would be uncomfortable with something public.
Lord, thank You that You guide and bless us. Thank You for how You establish and confirm us. Help us to make You proud.