He Grew

And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 1 Samuel 3:19 (KJV)
A parent would think it a disturbing thing if their new-born child did not begin to grow. Growth is a natural process subsequent to birth. This is true in the natural and it is true in the spirit.

When a baby is fed and cared for properly it will take on strength and stature day by day. This is growth. The little human being begins learning even in the womb. This learning process accelerates during and after birth. There is a physical yearning for food and a mental yearning for knowledge just as certainly as there is a desire to be loved and wanted.

As the individual develops there is noticeable change in physical appearance, mental acumen, emotional maturation and self-control. At least, this is what is expected.

Christian parents also develop their children spiritually, feeding them with the Word of God and modeling the Christ life rather than the self life. This is without argument the most important responsibility of Christian parents. They are called to produce righteous seed after the God kind; their kind.

Samuel had been wholly dedicated to the Lord by his parents. In fact they had given him into the care of Eli the priest so that he could grow into the fullness of that to which he was called.

Our verse for today declares, “Samuel grew.” This word “grew” is the Hebrew word, gadal, which means, not only to grow, but to become great or important, to be promoted or to be made more powerful in order to do great things.

As you and I feed on God’s Word and are nourished, cared for, protected by, taught and guided by the Holy Spirit we cooperate with the process whereby we are becoming great or important (as did Joseph in Egypt) and are being promoted and made to be more powerful in order to do great things for our Father and our God in Christ (Dan. 11:32b).