I was reading today in the book of 1 Samuel about the boy, Samuel as he grew up in the Temple, serving Eli the priest. It’s a familiar story, one I’ve heard since I was a boy in Sunday School. As you probably know, one night Samuel was trying to sleep and was awakened over and over by a voice calling his name. At first he thought it was Eli, his boss, but Eli recognized it was probably God speaking and told the boy, Samuel, to reply, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.” (1 Samuel 3:9-The Message) When the voice came again, that’s exactly what Samuel said, and it began a life-long adventure for him as he allowed himself to be led by God as His prophet and priest to the people of Israel.
As I reflected on that story, a few things came to mind that I need to be reminded of, and I thought I’d pass them on to you…
1. Listening is Intentional
It takes conscious effort to listen, especially to God. We have to make the time to get quiet, to read the Bible, to meditate on God with no distractions. Chances are, you will not hear an audible voice that awakens you at 2am giving you divine instructions. But we do have the “very words of God” at our fingertips in the Bible! And we can hear from God when we gather for worship and Bible Study… But just like with Samuel, we won’t hear God speak until we listen. And listening is intentional.
It takes conscious effort to listen, especially to God. We have to make the time to get quiet, to read the Bible, to meditate on God with no distractions. Chances are, you will not hear an audible voice that awakens you at 2am giving you divine instructions. But we do have the “very words of God” at our fingertips in the Bible! And we can hear from God when we gather for worship and Bible Study… But just like with Samuel, we won’t hear God speak until we listen. And listening is intentional.
2. Listening is Active
Few of us are good listeners. It takes effort to really listen to our spouse, our kids, our coworkers, our friends… And yet, if we are really going to be engaged in what they’re saying and what they need from us, we actively tune out distractions and listen… And we’re ready to respond.
The same is true with God. Samuel not only listened, but was poised and ready to do what God was leading him to do. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” It’s not enough to simply hear or sense what God wants us to do… We have to do it! Listening involves action.
Few of us are good listeners. It takes effort to really listen to our spouse, our kids, our coworkers, our friends… And yet, if we are really going to be engaged in what they’re saying and what they need from us, we actively tune out distractions and listen… And we’re ready to respond.
The same is true with God. Samuel not only listened, but was poised and ready to do what God was leading him to do. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” It’s not enough to simply hear or sense what God wants us to do… We have to do it! Listening involves action.
3. Listening is Hard
Not only is listening hard, but usually, when we sense God’s voice across our souls, usually following through and obeying, is even harder. For Samuel, it meant talking to his boss, Eli the Priest, and telling him that God was going to judge him and his family for their sins. Samuel avoided Eli all morning! As v.15 says, “[Samuel] dreaded having to tell the vision to Eli.” Sometimes following through on God’s commands is hard. Whether it’s taking a moral stand when it seems like everyone else is not, or serving in ministry doing something you’ve never done before, or starting a faith-based conversation with someone who doesn’t yet know Christ… It can seem daunting!
But let me say, not only from personal experience, but also from Samuel’s story, it gets easier. The more you have a habit of obedience, the easier it is. God used Samuel in mighty ways until he was an old man… Verses 19-20 say, “Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel's prophetic record was flawless. Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing—a true prophet of God.” That leads us to just one more thing…
Not only is listening hard, but usually, when we sense God’s voice across our souls, usually following through and obeying, is even harder. For Samuel, it meant talking to his boss, Eli the Priest, and telling him that God was going to judge him and his family for their sins. Samuel avoided Eli all morning! As v.15 says, “[Samuel] dreaded having to tell the vision to Eli.” Sometimes following through on God’s commands is hard. Whether it’s taking a moral stand when it seems like everyone else is not, or serving in ministry doing something you’ve never done before, or starting a faith-based conversation with someone who doesn’t yet know Christ… It can seem daunting!
But let me say, not only from personal experience, but also from Samuel’s story, it gets easier. The more you have a habit of obedience, the easier it is. God used Samuel in mighty ways until he was an old man… Verses 19-20 say, “Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel's prophetic record was flawless. Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing—a true prophet of God.” That leads us to just one more thing…
4. Listening is Continuous
Samuel lived a life of listening. It’s really profound to read that “his prophetic record was flawless…” That means he heard well what God said and repeated only the things what God wanted him to repeat. Samuel led Israel well, and his success goes all the way back to that night in the temple when he learned to say, “Speak, Lord. I’m your servant, ready to listen.”
Samuel lived a life of listening. It’s really profound to read that “his prophetic record was flawless…” That means he heard well what God said and repeated only the things what God wanted him to repeat. Samuel led Israel well, and his success goes all the way back to that night in the temple when he learned to say, “Speak, Lord. I’m your servant, ready to listen.”
Just one more thing…
When I read 1 Samuel 12:23-24, I realized that Samuel’s job description is much like mine, and his admonishment of the Israelites is a good one for all of us:
“…Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”
Please know that I am praying for you, and I will do my best to teach you the way that is good and right.
May God bless you as you seek to “serve Him faithfully with all your heart.”
