Experience God's Voice, part 1

Day 18: Experience God's Voice, Pt 1

Scripture:
1 Samuel 3:1–10, “The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 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.””

Thought:
Emphasizing each word in the last sentence of our text helps us understand Eli’s instruction and apply it to our lives.

Speak – Samuel invited God to speak to him. 
Lord – Samuel recognized God’s authority over his life
Your Servant – Samuel positioned himself as a servant
Is listening – This word suggests more than hearing, it includes obeying.

As one continues to read, what God asked Samuel to do was difficult. God asked him to speak a word of condemnation over Eli’s disobedient sons. Reluctantly, Samuel obeyed. God eventually elevated Samuel as Israel’s primary prophet and leader.

The prayer of Samuel served him well his whole life and is the same prayer we pray as we follow Jesus. What God asks us to do may be difficult, but God’s ways rarely are easy.

Reflection:
Take a moment and repeat the prayer of Samuel several times, emphasizing each word. Let this prayer be a commitment to serve and obey God’s voice.

What difficult things is God asking you to do?

Decision:
Based on what you read, what decisions do you need to make?