A VOICE IN THE NIGHT, A LOST BOOK, AND A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Last week, you read about three babies who were born for a specific purpose.  Isaac continued the covenant line, Moses brought the Israelites out of Egypt, and John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.  But they were adults when their service to God began.

Today I want you to consider the actions of three children/young people.

A VOICE IN THE NIGHT

Hannah wanted a child and, in her anguish, she prayed to the LORD Almighty.  Eli, the priest, heard her prayer and told her, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him”  Hannah’s prayer was answered and she named her son Samuel.  True to her word, Hannah gave Samuel to the LORD and he ministered before the LORD under Eli.

Have you ever fallen asleep and thought you heard something?  A noise?  Someone knocking on the door?  A voice?  Samuel heard a voice.  Samuel heard a voice calling his name three times.  Each time he went to Eli, but Eli had not called him.  Finally, Eli realized the LORD was calling the boy.  When the LORD came and stood there saying, “Samuel!  Samuel!” 

Are you ready for how Samuel answered this time?  Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  I do not know how old Samuel was, but he would have still been a kid…a young boy.  And he realized he was a servant to the LORD.  And he listened!  And he continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life.   All the days of his life!!! 

A LOST BOOK

Josiah was eight years old when he became king.  HE’S A KING?  ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD?  Shouldn’t an eight year old be out playing with his friends and learning reading, writing, and arithmetic?  What in the world would an eight year old know about being a king?  Apparently a lot.  He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. 

When Josiah was 26, he had honest carpenters, builders, and masons begin the repair of the temple of the LORD.  This sounds like a lot for a 26 year old to undertake but what came next changed his life.  A lost book was found.  Not just any old book.  This was the Book of the Law.  When Josiah heard the words, he tore his robes.  He learned the LORD was angry because those who had gone before Josiah did not obey the words of this book, they had forsaken God, and burned incense to other gods.  The message from the LORD was severe.  His anger would burn against this place and his anger would not be quenched. 

Look back to one sentence:  When Josiah heard the words, he tore his robes.  Because Josiah had a responsive heart and humbled himself, the LORD said, “Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace.  Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.”  Josiah renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD.  Then he removed shrines, mediums, and spiritists, the household gods, and idols.  Passover was celebrated.

A young boy became a young man and the Bible says:  Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did – with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with the Law of Moses.

Josiah reigned in Jerusalem for 31 years. 

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Time for you to use your imagination again.  Picture this happening:  Peter had been arrested!  People wanted to pray for him and gathered at the home of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark.  Many people were praying and praying and praying for Peter. 

On the other side of town, an angel woke Peter up.  The angel of the Lord told him, “Quick, get up?”  Peter dressed, put on his sandals, and left the chains behind.  They passed the guards, went through the door, walked a block, and suddenly the angel left him.  Imagine Peter’s confusion.  He is out of prison, but where should he go? 

Peter was set free.  He went to Mary’s house and knocked on the door.  A servant girl named Rhoda went to answer the door.  When she heard Peter’s voice she was so overjoyed that she left him standing there and she ran back to the people, who were praying, and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”  But no one believed her.  “It must be his angel.”  Rhoda kept insisting and Peter kept knocking.  Finally, they opened the door and were astonished.  Peter motioned for them to be quiet.

Rhoda was Overjoyed when she recognized Peter’s voice.  She was so excited to know he was out of prison that she didn’t open the door.  She just left him standing there.  The people, in the house, were Astonished when they finally went to the door.  What wonderful emotions.

KIDS – YOUNG ADULTS – WHAT DO THEY KNOW

We often pay little attention to the kids/young adults around us. After all, what do they know? Let them be quiet and listen.  Let them learn. Let them grow up and then - and only then - will they have matured enough to be heard.  BUT sometimes, these kids and young adults can teach us a thing or two.

Samuel heard the LORD calling him and he listened and obeyed.  He didn’t make excuses.  He served --- he served for a lifetime.

Josiah became a king at eight years of age and ruled with his soul, heart, and wisdom.  He heard the lost words that changed his heart and soul.

Rhoda had Joy the moment she heard a voice.  They had been praying and just like that, their prayers were answered.  And she didn’t back down when they did not believe her.  Peter is at the door!  Rhoda was full of joy!

I guess we can learn from kids.  BUT – what about women?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:  1 Samuel:1 and 3, 2 Kings: 22 and 23, and Acts 12:8-17