THE ONE WHO COMES AND STANDS

"The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel, Samuel.'" (I Samuel 3:10, emphasis mine)

God's call to Samuel wasn't from a distant atmospheric location. And it wasn't in a cosmic game of hide and seek: "Samuel, Samuel. Do you hear me? Try to find me." No, I Samuel 3:10 clearly states that the Lord "came and stood there," as He, once again, called out Samuel's name.

Earlier this morning as I read this very familiar verse that I've read many times prior, I was sure I had never paid attention to the four words "came and stood there," until that moment. I love it when I'm reading the Bible—a book I've treasured and read with daily discipline since my teenage years—and God’s Spirit illuminates a word or phrase that has never stood out to me before, even though the verse or passage may have been read time and again. God's holy highlighter sweeps over it as if to say, "Right here. Don't miss this. It's important stuff."

". . .came and stood there" is important stuff.

Nothing more than two uninteresting action verbs, a connector, and an adverb, "came and stood there" undoubtedly highlights the heart of God. These four commonplace words reveal something extraordinary and powerful: God's call—His sovereign intersection with Samuel's life—was up close and very personal.

God Most High, the Lord Almighty, the Great I AM, descended the heights of Heaven, invaded Samuel's space, and called out Samuel’s name.

And, in true like father, like son fashion, this is what the Son of Man did for mankind.

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More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ, clothed in flesh, came to this broken world and stood among men. His sinless person invaded this sin-drenched planet and in unadulterated, unabashed love, called sinners by name. All four Gospels beautifully bear witness to this. From the calling of the Twelve to Christ’s countless intersections with individuals in dire need of a Savior, His descent into humanity’s space was in the most up close and personal way.

But if descending on this world wasn’t personal enough, if standing and walking and living among mankind didn’t adequately communicate I’m here, right where you are. I love you. You matter—exceedingly matter—to me, God’s substitutionary Lamb, spotless and sinless, did the unthinkable. In the greatest demonstration of love the world has ever witnessed or known, He willingly bore the sins of all.

Then, forty days later, when the Savior ascended to Heaven to take His seat at the Father's right hand, another took His place. Another came and stood. Through the Holy Spirit, God's child is invaded by the very person and presence of Jesus. The Spirit comes upon and then stands within these mortal bodies so that, through Christ, our fellowship with God is as up close and personal as we desperately need while living in this damaged, deficient world.

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What a comfort to know that my God is ever so near me. What calm and peace are mine when I remind myself that He comes and stands with me in every moment that makes up each new day. When my mind is plagued by fears or the burdens feel too weighty to bear, or when sin is vying for control, I can confidently know that He isn’t just some remote being, inaccessible and undependable. Because my Savior—Immanuel, “God with us”—willingly came and stood among men and then willingly laid down His life, I can experience my heavenly Father's abiding, powerful presence.

Every day. Every moment.

It’s a blessed reality that’s certainly undeserving. And one I know I can't live without.

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Fellow sojourner, if you're a precious child of God who's been saved by the blood of His Son, then the Father is up close and personal in your life too. No matter the hill you’re climbing or the hardship you’re enduring, no matter the terrible trial you’re in or the temptation you think you’ll never overcome, your God has come. And He’s standing there, right there with you. Right in the middle of it all.

Know it. Believe it. Live it.

Don't allow the enemy—that diabolical father of lies—to convince you otherwise.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:25-27