Learning to Hear God’s Voice
The Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord 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 the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:8-10
There are many voices screaming for our attention today. One of the greatest needs in a Christian’s life is to have the ability to recognized the voice of God. God’s voice comes in various forms: comfort, warning, rebuke, salvation, and repentance to name a few. However, the real test in believers’ lives is how they respond to God’s voice.
Although God’s voice came to Samuel four different times, Samuel misunderstood the first three times (1 Samuel 3:2-8). He confused God’s voice with that of Eli’s. Each time Samuel went to Eli and replied, “Here I am.” Each time Eli instructed Samuel to go back to sleep. Samuel did not respond to God’s voice for the same reason many people today do not respond; he did not yet know the Lord. He ministered in the flesh and not the Spirit.
The call of God demands a positive response. We must be careful not to reject it. Our response must be the same as Samuel’s: “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
Take joy in knowing that the Lord loves you enough to call you to faith and repentance. Heeding God’s voice always brings joy; dismissing God’s voice always brings regret.
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to salvation. Thank You for calling me to spread Your glorious gospel. I am so grateful You call me to repentance each day of my life. Amen.
Tim Anderson, Athens, AL