IMITATE THEIR FAITH/He "Continued Growing Up With Jehovah"

"Samuel Called to Jehovah

Did that mean, though, that the Israelites followed Samuel's lead and become spiritual, faithful people? No. In time, they decided that they did not want a mere prophet to judge them.  They wanted to be like other nations and have a human king rule over them.  At Jehovah's direction, Samuel complied.  But he had to convey to Israel the magnitude of their sin.  They were rejecting, not a mere man, but Jehovah himself!  So he summoned the people to Gilgal.

Let us rejoin him in that tense moment of addressing Israel at Gilgal.  There, elderly Samuel reminded Israel of his faithful record of integrity. Then, we read: "Samuel called to Jehovah."  He asked Jehovah for a thunderstorm. -1 Samuel 12:17, 18. 

A thunderstorm?  In the dry season?  Why, such a thing was unheard of!  If there was even a trace of skepticism or scoffing among the people, it did not last long.  The sky suddenly darkened with clouds. The winds battered  the wheat in the fields .  The thunder let out its booming, deafening roars. And the rain fell.  The response?  "The people were greatly in fear of Jehovah and of Samuel."  At last, they saw how seriously  they had sinned. -1 Samuel 12:18, 19. 

Not Samuel, but his God, Jehovah, had reached their rebellious hearts.  From his youth to his old age, Samuel put faith in God. And Jehovah rewarded him. To this day, Jehovah has not changed.  He still supports those who imitate the faith of Samuel.

Next time:  HOW CAN YOU COMBAT NEGATIVE FEELINGS?

From the Watchtower magazine