When they grow old, many people have their vision diminished, but they do not pray to God to heal them. Over time, some also lose their spiritual vision. Well, we were healed by the wounds suffered by Jesus on the cross of Calvary (1 Peter 2:24). Why not talk to the Lord about our problems, asking Him to show us how to act to obtain the healing guaranteed in the Word? Sometimes, like Jacob, we will have to wrestle with God (Genesis 32:22-32).

We do not know for sure what Samuel thought when the elders asked for a king, rejecting the prophet's sons as judges, for they were sold to corruption. Whoever receives the call of the Most-High to work in His service must believe in what He says and strive to fulfill His commandments. Nothing is better than being a faithful servant, so as not to be reprimanded on the Last Day. Devote yourself to the Lord!

The request made to Samuel left no doubt: the Israelites wanted to be governed by a king. Then, the prophet cried out to the Lord for divine guidance. In our lives, everything must be in accordance with the Scriptures. However, sometimes the rush to find the right people to fill gaps in the ministry is so great that we choose someone outside of God's ways. This is bad, because everyone should be chosen by the Most-High!

You can imagine Samuel's sadness upon hearing their request. But he became even sadder because his sons imitated Eli's, who suffered divine judgment and died on the battlefield (1 Samuel 4:5-11). The Bible gives a recipe to those who want to do God's work: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (2 Timothy 2.15).

Whenever I talk to young Christians, I advise them to surrender to God early and not to do the works of the devil. I, for example, did not know that the Lord had the plan to use me to evangelize the country and the world. However, I knew how to have life on His altar, to keep in communion with Him and secure eternal life. This was essential for me not to be disqualified when taking on the blessing of bringing millions to the feet of Christ. Even today, I remain alert to avoid causing any scandal!

The prophet was devastated when he learned that his children were living in sin. If you are a father, examine the conduct of your children, so that they do not fall into sin and are led to eternal fire. Many who think they are going to Heaven will be placed on the left side of the Master, and He will tell them to march into the eternal fire (Matthew 25:41).

Those days must have been heavy for Samuel. While praying, the Lord revealed to him that it was not His plan for anyone to reign over His people. However, He granted Israel's request and gave them a king, according to the custom of the other nations. We do not have to imitate the world in anything, much less in relation to the system of government in the church. We need to evangelize the whole world (Mark 16:15)!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares