May 9

“And Samuel grew, and Jehovah was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.” 1 Samuel 3:19

Samuel was not only a child given in answer to his mother’s prayer; he was one who very early learned to pray himself. He stands as a complete contrast to the priest Eli, who was not only old in years but dull as to spiritual things, no longer having faculties tuned to communicate with God.

The very first time God called him, Samuel was alert to hear; and although he did not at once recognize that the voice was God’s, he was quick to learn and to obey. This led on to a prayer-life worthy of comparison with that of Moses. Samuel became a living link between the old and the new, between the sad declension of Israel under the judges and the glorious reign of David. If prayer could bridge such a gap then, it can do such things today.