Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:7-10 (NAS)
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 is listening.”
On some level, we can all identify with this young man. 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 can hear God’s voice. Many people might scoff at this conclusion. They might reject the idea that we could truly hear the voice of 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.”
Dear Father, thank you for your Word and your calling. Forgive us for our past insensitivity. It was in ignorance that we did not listen. Empower us to be fully mindful of your spirit and presence. Speak, O Lord, for we are listening for your voice. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today by listening to the voice of God,