Throughout Scripture, we see how God calls individuals to serve Him at particular times and in particular ways. Esther was reminded that she may have come into the kingdom for such a time as this. Samuel, as a young boy, learned to recognise the voice of the Lord and respond with a willing heart: “Speak, for thy servant heareth.” In Mark’s Gospel, the Lord Jesus sent His disciples to bring a colt to Him, with the simple yet remarkable explanation: “The Lord has need of it.”
This Address considers the privilege and responsibility of being available for the Lord’s service. Whatever our circumstances, age, or ability, are we ready to hear His call and respond in obedience? The Lord is still able to use those who are willing to make themselves available to Him.
Bible Scriptures: Darby Translation
Esther 4:14 ” And who knows whether thou art [not] come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
1 Samuel 3:1-10 “3 And the boy Samuel ministered to Jehovah before Eli. And the word of Jehovah was rare in those days; a vision was not frequent.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli lay in his place (now his eyes began to grow dim, he could not see),3 and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel lay in the temple of Jehovah, where the ark of God was,
4 that Jehovah called to Samuel. And he said, Here am I.5 And he ran to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I did not call: lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And Jehovah called again, Samuel! And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I did not call, my son: lie down again.7 Now Samuel did not yet know Jehovah, neither had the word of Jehovah yet been revealed to him.
8 And Jehovah called again the third time, Samuel! And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And Eli perceived that Jehovah was calling the boy.
9 And Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down; and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Jehovah, for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10 And Jehovah came, and stood, and called as at the other times, Samuel, Samuel! And Samuel said, Speak, for thy servant heareth.”
Mark 11:1-7 “And when they draw near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sends two of his disciples,2 and says to them, Go into the village which is over against you, and immediately on entering into it ye will find a colt tied, upon which no [child] of man has ever sat: loose it and lead it [here].
3 And if any one say to you, Why do ye this? say, The Lord has need of it; and straightway he sends it hither.4 And they departed, and found a colt bound to the door without at the crossway, and they loose him.5 And some of those who stood there said to them, What are ye doing, loosing the colt?6 And they said to them as Jesus had commanded. And they let them [do it].7 And they led the colt to Jesus, and cast their clothes upon it, and he sat on it;”