God in the Peaks and Valleys: The Prophet Samuel

Introduction: A New Journey Together

Sunday morning we began a new series of lessons I’ve titled Peaks and Valleys. The heart of this series is simple: whether you find yourself standing on the mountaintop or trudging through the darkest valley, God is always with you. Too often, when life is good and we are “on the mountain,” we think we got there by ourselves. On the other hand, when life falls apart, we cry out, “God, where are You?” In both cases, we risk forgetting that He has never left us.

As I prepared this message, I intended to begin with David. But as I studied, I couldn’t get past Samuel in 1 Samuel 16. Samuel’s story gripped me, because here was a man of God who found himself in his own valley of grief and confusion. His story reminds us that even when life feels like it has fallen apart, God is present, patient, and still calling us forward.

Samuel’s Valley

Chapter 15 ends with a broken relationship. Saul, the king Samuel had anointed and guided, had been rejected by God. Scripture tells us Samuel mourned deeply and never saw Saul again. That kind of loss—the end of a friendship, the collapse of a partnership—cut Samuel to the core.

In chapter 16, God asks him, “How long will you mourn for Saul?” That question pierced me as I reflected on Samuel’s story. Grief is real, and God gave Samuel time to mourn. But there comes a point where staying in the valley is no longer about circumstances—it becomes about us choosing to remain there. God wasn’t scolding Samuel; He was lovingly nudging him: “It’s time to move forward. I have work for you.”

The Mountaintops in Samuel’s Life

Samuel’s valley is striking because he had lived so many mountaintop moments before. He was the miracle child of Hannah’s desperate prayers. As a boy, he heard the voice of God and answered, “Here I am.” He led Israel with courage and faith, calling on God in times of crisis.

When the Philistines threatened, Samuel interceded, and God thundered against Israel’s enemies. He was revered as a prophet, judge, and spiritual leader. For years, he was the bridge between the time of the judges and the beginning of the monarchy. Samuel had lived a life of faithfulness and victory.

But even spiritual giants find themselves in valleys. Age caught up with him. His sons failed to follow his example. The people rejected his leadership, demanding a king like other nations. And now, the man he had invested so much in—Saul—had failed, leaving Samuel grieving, angry, and alone.

God Meets Us in the Valley

What I love most about this story is that God didn’t abandon Samuel in his valley. He showed up right there.

First, God gave Samuel space to grieve. Scripture doesn’t say exactly how long he mourned, but the fact that God asks, “How long will you mourn?” shows that Samuel had been there for a while. And God understands grief. Hebrews 4 reminds us that Jesus is our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. Jesus knew loneliness, betrayal, and sorrow. He understands when our valleys are long and painful.

But God also called Samuel to move forward. “Fill your horn with oil and be on your way,” He told him. In other words, “I still have a purpose for you.” Grief, if we’re not careful, can turn into paralysis. Isolation can become selfish. Samuel had to decide: stay stuck in the valley or trust God enough to take the next step.

Worship as the Path Forward

Samuel’s hesitation is telling: “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” His focus was still on himself and his fears. But notice what God told him to do: take a heifer, go to Bethlehem, and offer a sacrifice. Before anointing a new king, Samuel was called to worship.

That struck me. Samuel had forgotten what had always anchored him. From the beginning, before battles and before decisions, he sacrificed and worshiped. Worship was his rhythm of life. But in his valley, his focus had shifted inward. God’s command pulled him back to what mattered: not Saul, not his grief, not his fear—but the worship of the living God.

And the same is true for us. When we find ourselves overwhelmed, worship reorients us. Singing songs, praying, gathering with God’s people—these acts remind us that He has always been with us and always will be. Worship shifts the focus from self to God, from fear to faith, from grief to gratitude.

Lessons from Samuel’s Story

Samuel’s valley teaches me several truths that I want to pass along to you:


Conclusion: God Is With Us in Both

Samuel’s story in 1 Samuel 16 isn’t just about him—it’s about us. We all face seasons of mourning, loneliness, or uncertainty. We all ask, “God, where are You?” But the truth is, He is always there. He was with us on the mountaintop, and He is with us in the valley.

The question is not whether God is present but whether we will recognize Him and trust Him enough to move forward.

So let me leave you with the same question God asked Samuel: “How long will you mourn?” How long will you stay in the valley when God is still calling you to rise, worship, and follow Him into the next chapter of your story?