26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in Favour with the Lord and with people. 1 Samuel 2
Similar words are used in Luke’s Gospel about the Lord growing up with His earthly parents.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and WAS OBEDIENT TO THEM. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2
Jesus went down to Nazareth and was Obedient to His parents and immediately the Bible talks about Him growing physically and in Favour.
18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord – a boy wearing a linen ephod. 1 Samuel 2
Both Jesus and Samuel CONTINUED TO GROW IN FAVOUR as they fulfilled their respective roles in life. Both were faithful to those in charge of them.
“Far be it from me! THOSE WHO HONOUR ME I WILL HONOUR, but those who despise me will be disdained. 1 Samuel 2:30
In the award winning movie, ‘Chariots of Fire’, there’s a dramatic moment just before the Final of the men’s 400 metres. Eric Liddell, the British athlete was handed a piece of paper with this verse written on it and wishing him, ‘best success always’. The central theme of the movie was that Liddell, a devout Christian, refused to run on the Sabbath and changed his event from the 100 to the 400 metres. He ran a world record time for the distance, God did honour the runner who honoured Him. Liddell returned as a missionary to China, the land of his birth! He died in a Japanese Prison Camp in China and as the movie ends, ‘All Scotland mourned’.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them round your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will WIN FAVOUR and a good name
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD AND MAN. Proverbs 3
The Wisdom writing in Proverbs also talks about Favour with God and people. We should look for them to come together in our own lives.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke, (DON’T SULK UNDER HIS LOVING CORRECTION, Message Bible)
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3
This chapter also teaches that God disciplines all of His children for our good, as should earthly parents. Jesus and Samuel both submitted to earthly discipline and both walked closely with the Lord.
This life on earth is a Journey, with a beginning and an end, where lots will happen in between. We should ‘walk out our salvation with fear and trembling (honouring the God who gave us life)’ Philippians 2:12
May we continue to grow in the Favour of God and people and be blessed this day and every day.