Good Morning Friends,
“Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’ And he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ But Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ ‘My son,’ Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’” (1 Samuel 3:4-10)
God spoke to Samuel as clearly as He has ever spoken to anyone. Few of us have had the kind of experience Samuel had, to hear the audible voice of the Lord and to have the Lord directly bring a message to us. Yet, even with that kind of clarity it took Eli’s spiritual wisdom to be able to discern that it was the Lord. Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice and would have missed the message without Eli’s help. There are several truths that come from this story:
1. Hearing the voice of the Lord when He speaks requires spiritual discernment that only comes with spiritual maturity. Samuel didn’t have it, but fortunately Eli did. If we ever hope to be able to discern the voice of the Lord among the other loud and clamoring voices around us we must move toward spiritual maturity.
2. Spiritually wise counsel helps when we are trying to discern God’s voice and His will. You may not be living with a priest, but there is great value in having some spiritually wise friends who can help you discern God’s voice and His will when it is unclear to you or to test your understanding when you think you have heard His direction.
3. God does speak to people. He spoke to Samuel, and Samuel is not an isolated example. Samuel is one of the many men and women in the Bible to whom God clearly communicated His message and His will. There is no reason for us to assume that God has ceased speaking to people. In fact, there is every reason to believe God speaks just as clearly today as ever.
4. Finally, God desires the same kind of response that we see in Samuel when he finally recognizes it is God speaking. Samuel followed Eli’s instructions and responded to the Lord, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” God is looking for men and women who will listen to His voice and follow His will. Perhaps the reason so few hear His voice today is that God finds so few hearts that are ready to respond obediently to His direction.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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