(Now Samuel did not
yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) And the
LORD called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and
said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the
LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and
it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say,`Speak, LORD, for Your servant
hears.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the LORD came and
stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel
answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” (1Samuel 3:7-10 NKJ)
yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) And the
LORD called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and
said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the
LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and
it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say,`Speak, LORD, for Your servant
hears.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the LORD came and
stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel
answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” (1Samuel 3:7-10 NKJ)
Samuel’s first
encounter with God was a little confusing. He clearly heard a voice calling his
name, yet Samuel did not recognize the voice of God. After the third time that
Samuel went to Eli, asking what he wanted, Eli gave Samuel a response to the
voice: “Speak, LORD, for your servant hears you.”
encounter with God was a little confusing. He clearly heard a voice calling his
name, yet Samuel did not recognize the voice of God. After the third time that
Samuel went to Eli, asking what he wanted, Eli gave Samuel a response to the
voice: “Speak, LORD, for your servant hears you.”
On some level, we
can all identify with Samuel’s experience. How many times have we experienced
“hearing” our name called but no one is nearby when we look around to see who
called us? Most of us simply regard such events as our imagination playing
tricks on us. Perhaps we might rethink that response. Samuel’s encounter with
God illustrates that humans do hear God speak. Many people might scoff at this
conclusion. They might reject the idea that we could truly hear God speaking to
us personally. The Word of God assures us, however, that the same God who spoke
to Samuel speaks today through his Son, Jesus Christ.
can all identify with Samuel’s experience. How many times have we experienced
“hearing” our name called but no one is nearby when we look around to see who
called us? Most of us simply regard such events as our imagination playing
tricks on us. Perhaps we might rethink that response. Samuel’s encounter with
God illustrates that humans do hear God speak. Many people might scoff at this
conclusion. They might reject the idea that we could truly hear God speaking to
us personally. The Word of God assures us, however, that the same God who spoke
to Samuel speaks today through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Perhaps the reason
many people do not hear the voice of God is because they are not listening. The
next time we hear our name called and no one is there, we might remember Eli’s
instructions: “Speak, LORD, for I am listening.”
many people do not hear the voice of God is because they are not listening. The
next time we hear our name called and no one is there, we might remember Eli’s
instructions: “Speak, LORD, for I am listening.”
Dear Father, thank
you for calling our name. Empower our spirit with the sensitivity to know your
voice when you speak and enable us to respond as Samuel did. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
you for calling our name. Empower our spirit with the sensitivity to know your
voice when you speak and enable us to respond as Samuel did. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
Respond to God’s
call today,
call today,