Why We Named him Samuel

I think I know at least of dozen of Samuels and at least 2 other Samuel Tans. So why Samuel?

I believe names are important and thus the processing of naming is important. In the Bible, people who were used of God were given specific names by God. Whilst God doesn't commonly reveal to us names nowadays, I am convinced that for Christians, at the least, naming of our children is a prayerful exercise with God right in the middle of our decision making process. 

The greatest significance of names has to be the "Name above every Name' - and that refers to Jesus Christ our Lord. That name holds with it many meaning -  Messiah, Saviour, Counselor. His name reflects His purpose on earth - to save, to conquer, to lead and to guide. There is great power & significance in Jesus' name. By the Name, the blind man see and the lame man walk and the oppressed are healed. By the Name, we are saved from the penalty of sin and declared righteous and put on the righteousness of Christ. What a Name!

At least for me, it didn't matter if my children's names were the least trendy. It must be biblical. Last year, as I read the book of Samuel, the Lord showed me how precious & blessed Samuel was in the bible. 

• Samuel was a boy borne out of his mother's cries and pleas to God 
• Before Samuel came to serve fully in the temple, the land was devastated with the absence of the Holy Spirit. This was to me, one of the saddest verse I have ever read and a very personal one because I felt that it to be true in my context. "And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation" 1 Sam 3:1
• That God called Samuel to His work in the tabernacle at a very early age. Eli was the priest then. Though filled with many years of experience and knowing the ins and outs of temple procedures and work, Eli never heard the Lord speaking to him. But little Samuel heard the Lord's voice clearly - not once but three times. 
  
• Samuel remain true to the calling of God till God took him home. This verse kinda sealed it for me "So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground"  1 Sam 3:19
• Of course, I mustn't fail to mention that Daniel felt the Lord impressing the name Samuel on his mind. 

With all the circumstances surrounding little Samuel's conception, growth and existence, Dan and I know that he belongs totally to God. Samuel is but placed under our charge so that we can train him in the way of the Lord to be an instrument for Him. If the Lord is to call little Samuel to serve him at an early age, we would provide him the necessary training to do so, be it education, theology training, or other skills needed. We only pray that little Samuel would know the Lord early and know the Lord for the rest of his life. 

With no apology, we want everyone to know that our children come from a family who fears God just by hearing the names Sarah and Samuel [I was pleased when a stranger in Malaysia remarked that same sentiment when she asked about the names of my 2 children] . And we hope that their names would unfold 2 special stories - of how God has been faithful and gracious and merciful in their lives. Lastly, that their lives would be beautiful portrait of the true  biblical meanings of their names - to the praise and glory of their God! 

For our little Samuel, my heartfelt prayer for him till the Lord takes him home -  is that Samuel would grow and that the Lord would be with him all the days of his life and that Samuel would not let any of God's word fall to the ground.