Passing the Test

# 97 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 8:1-3, “Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. (1 Sam 8:1-3) Say it isn't so! There was not a holier man in all of Israel than Samuel, and now his sons, like his predecessor Eli have turned bad. Friends, never underestimate the pull and power of the world and mammon. Joel and Abijah working far away from home in a prosperous city were lured in to the ways of the world. It's interesting that much was made about Eli's lack of control over the behavior of his sons, but not much is said here about Samuel. Shouldn't his feet be held to the fire too? What's that all about? It doesn't seem fair does it? Fair or not, we just aren't told how Samuel handled the situation. It seems the reason that their misdeeds are included here is to set the stage for the people demanding to have a king to rule over them. But wait. His sons are mentioned later on in 1 Sam 12:2 as part of Samuel's farewell address to the people. He said, "And now here is the king, walking before you; and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day.” Did Samuel really need to say, “and look my sons are with you?” Go ahead, read the verse without that phrase. It was not necessary, but it was added for a reason. The Holy Spirit wants us to know something here. I believe He wants us to know that Samuel took the corrective action necessary with his sons, and they were restored to the fellowship. “My sons are with you,” is another way of saying, “they are one of you, they have been corrected and restored!” This tells me that Samuel's feet were held to the fire and he passed the test. May God the Holy Spirit give us the strength and wisdom to pass any test that comes our way today.