And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the LORD called Samuel . . . | ||
| 1 Samuel 3:3-4 (a) | ||
| Samuel was ministering to the Lord when God spoke to him. Ministering to the Lord is different from ministering for Him. Ministering for the Lord is teaching a lesson, giving a sermon, helping someone in His name. Ministering to the Lord, on the other hand, is drawing near to Him personally and privately. Ministry to the Lord takes place not on stage, but in the pew. Ministry to the Lord is not about what others see us do, but what the Lord alone enjoys as we spend time with Him. Ministering to the Lord is the highest calling in life, and every single one of us can do it. I love it when my wife makes a meal for me or irons my shirt. But those things can’t begin to compare to the love I feel when she’s ministering to me - being by my side, sharing with me, loving me. The same is true of the Lord. When you minister to Him, it’s a far higher calling than ministering for Him (Ezekiel 44). Pastor Jon Courson | ||
