Are you paying attention
when god is speaking…
'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 house 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.
A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” 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 3:1-10
i’ve written before that i struggle hearing from God. sometimes i wonder if it’s because i’m tuned out, unsure what i’m hearing, not in His Will, drowned out by the noise of the world, a combination of this or something other than these.
it’s not that i haven’t tried to be focused on His Voice; it’s more that i don’t know what i’m supposed to be looking out for or listening to. yes, you would think as a follower of Christ for many years that i would. i’m just opening up that i do find it difficult because of the many failures i’ve had throughout my life when i thought i heard Him clearly - to do this, start this, join this, etc. only to have them come apart.
in my dreams, sometimes daydreams (not really meditating), i think, feel that this is where God wants me, told me something, prompted me to do this or that, thought i can’t say for certain if it was Him or my own selfish desires. while samuel was able to clearly here The Lord call his name and acknowledged Him immediately, i don’t recall having a life-changing moment like that. do i wish it would happen as such, absolutely - unfortunately, in my opinion, this is not the definition of faith, of not seeing (hearing in this case) and believing.
just like samuel, i would love to actively (even passively) hear from God. and when He does call on me, i want to have that same response - here i am; speak Lord, your servant is listening. that He would find me deserving to be called on, to be used, and that He would entrust me with an assignment for His Kingdom’s purposes.
Father God, would you pour out your Spirit on my family and i. guide us to be able to hear clearly from you. to not allow the noise of this world to block out anything you are speaking into our lives. that not only hearing, but to listen intently when you do, then to act on what you ask of us.
may we do so that one day you would call on and say to us - ‘well done, good and faithful servant! you have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. come and share your master’s happiness!’ (matthew 25:23, niv). in Jesus’ name i pray, amen!