Wednesday Thought – January 27, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’ He ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ He went and lay down. Again the LORD called, ‘Samuel!’ 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.’ 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.’ Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”’ Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel!  Samuel!’ 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. Even with that kind of clarity it took Eli’s spiritual wisdom to discern that it was the Lord. Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice and needed Eli’s help.

Hearing the voice of the Lord requires spiritual discernment that comes with spiritual maturity. Samuel didn’t have it, fortunately Eli did. If we ever hope to discern the voice of the Lord we must move toward spiritual maturity.

 Spiritually wise counsel helps when we are trying to discern God’s voice and will. There is great value in having some spiritually wise friends who can help you discern God’s voice and will when it is unclear to you or to test your understanding when you think you have heard His direction.

God does speak to people. He spoke to Samuel and he is one of many men and women in the Bible to whom God clearly communicated His message and will. There is no reason for us to assume God has ceased speaking to people. There is every reason to believe God speaks just as clearly today as ever.

God desires the same response we see in Samuel when he recognizes it is God speaking. Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” God is looking for people 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 ready to respond obediently to His direction.

His, by Grace, Steve