SAMUEL

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own 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, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.” (1 Samuel 3:1-18 ESV)

            From Moses are lessons about intercessory prayer, the most unselfish manner of praying.  From Job are lessons about prayer during life’s darker hours, beholding God as sovereign.  From Samuel are lessons about the voice of God, hearing from Him.

            Skepticism has grown exponentially throughout the world, legitimately caused by the fabrication and exaggeration increasingly occurring in the disseminating of news and information through various outlets, network as well as social media. Suspicious feelings can also impact a relationship with God.

            Is a mindset of cynicism choking the voice of God, strangulating genuine dialogue with Him? Some confess sins with a mere hope of being heard and leave their private confessional sensing doubt. Others petition about a need only hoping they are heard, but lacking assurance. Entering discourse with the Lord and ending without hearing His voice is discouraging.

            Prayer is two-way communication. If you know how to listen, God responds through the inner ear of the heart, or by visions and dreams, or through the prophetic, and if necessary in audible ways.

            The call was extended to the church by Jesus to have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. (Revelation 2 and 3) If not achievable, would He make such a request? Anyone sincerely praying should be anticipating a response. Jesus desires to clearly guide, as well as kindly correct, through prayer.

Knowing the Source

            Young Samuel could not know the message until he recognized the Messenger, and neither can you.  The Source is as important as the statement.

            Samuel heard from God, “Samuel, Samuel.” (V.10) Then God heard Samuel recognizing Him as the Source, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (V.10) Having learned to recognize the voice of God and how to communicate back to God, made Samuel ready to fulfill the task designed for him by God.

            Through Samuel’s whole life there was unimpeded communication between himself and God. Samuel spoke and God responded. God spoke and Samuel responded. This level of meaningful conversation can only take place when a person recognizes His voice.

            Someone else was involved in helping Samuel recognize the voice of God. Eli, the leading spokesman for the Lord among the people, gave him clues. Simply stated, ask by faith and wait. (v.9) When Samuel reported to Eli his divine encounter, the priest confirmed the genuineness of the moment. (v.18) A word from the Lord is identifiable to others equally devoted to Him. A person should never conclude that they are the sole measurer of divine truth.

            Where can someone turn today in order to acquire an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church? This zealous aspiration is achieved by Scripture and the Son of God!

            First, the greatest awareness of God’s voice is developed by regularly spending time in God’s Word. The nature of God is clearly disclosed in the Bible. The more you read from the pages of the Book, the more you behold pure reality, the imposters lose the ability to deceive.

            Also, Jesus is the exact representation of God. (Hebrews 1:1-4) Abundantly leaning on Him, learning of Him, and walking in His ways, completes the mosaic as sketched and illustrated in the Covenant writings. The Word became flesh, filling in the blank pages.

Voices

            Several voices are clamoring for the attention of those committed to following Jesus:

            social voices,

            cultural voices,

            patriotic voices,

            political voices,

            radical voices,
            militant voices

            moderate voices,

            courageous voices,

            cowardly voices,

            ethnic voices,

            racial voices,

            liberal voices,

            traditional voices,

            religious voices,

            secular voices,

            tolerant voices,
            combative voices,

            unkind voices,

            progressive voices,

            conservative voices,

            macho voices,

            effeminate voices.

They demand the right to influence a world-defining view, decision-making view, life-shaping view, and course-directing view. The Holy Spirit is a heavenly filter, sifting every opinion and helping you attain the Christ-conforming view.

            Having served in a variety of leadership positions, various pressures were applied in multiple situations to conform to the dictates of many voices. These were not necessarily evil or malicious voices. Most were well-meaning. Some voices had strong convictions about their approach being the most compassionate and fair. Others voices wanted to minimize me placing myself in harm’s way and potentially becoming ill-treated. In each and every occasion came a personal burden to hear the voice of God.

Hear His voice

            First, Samuel heard God’s voice on more than one occasion, and eventually gained an accurate word from the Lord. Multiple encounters will help you know when His voice is speaking to you. Development often requires repetition.

            Secondly, confirmation by those just as devoted to Him helps someone gain more certainty about His voice. Fellow believers play a vital role in the final outcome.

            Samuel is a testimony of someone with a heart to obey, regardless the uncomfortableness of the directions. He was divinely positioned to address corruption, to confront evil, to restore honor, to usher in righteousness, to provide a clear witness of the one True God. One dares not approach such weighty needs without hearing from God and knowing that the voice they hear is His.

            You may not presently have such weighty matters to address, yet knowing and hearing His voice is important to experiencing a triumphant life. God cares, and wants to speak to you.

            Seek His voice above all the other ones clamoring for your attention. Desire to have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying.