Young Samuel at prayer, Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1777
I saw this painting yesterday at the Musée Fabre in Montpellier. The story of Samuel's call has always been one of my favorites, but I never imagined Samuel being quite this young when he was listening for God to call. Long story short: Samuel was living with Eli, an old priest, and one night he heard Eli calling to him. But when he went to Eli, Eli said he had not called. This happened a couple more times before Eli realized it was God calling to Samuel, and Eli told Samuel that when he heard the call again he was to say "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." And he did. "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."
The psalm appointed for this morning is Psalm 37, part 1. It is one I love to read, because I love the word "evildoer." Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? Read verses 1-9:
Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; * do not be jealous of those who do wrong. For they shall soon wither like the grass, * and like the green grass fade away. Put your trust in the LORD and do good; * dwell in the land and feed on its riches. Take delight in the LORD, * who shall give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to the LORD; put your trust in the LORD, * who will bring it to pass. The LORD will make your righteousness as clear as the light * and your just dealing as the noonday. Be still before the LORD; * wait patiently for the LORD. Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, * the one who succeeds in evil schemes. Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; * do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.
Two things. One, do not fret - it only leads to evil. Two, and this is where Samuel comes in, listen to and trust in God. Trust in the Lord, take delight in the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, be still before the Lord, wait patiently for the Lord.
When you drive, or ride a bike, or ski, where you look is where you go. Same in life. Look to light and to love. There is enough evil in the world. Focus on what is good, so that you may do good.