1 SAMUEL 3:8-10
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2007
DO YOU HEAR HIM CALL YOU?
8 And 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 had called the boy. 9 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.
10 Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel!
Samuel!"
And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." 1 Samuel 3:8-10
(NKJV)
This chapter begins by saying that at this period of Old Testament
History there were no vocal or visual revelations from God. This is
important in understanding why all three times Samuel heard his name
called, he rushed to Eli. In fact, even with all of his wisdom, it took
Eli three times before he understood that it was God who was calling
Samuel’s name.
When God calls Samuel by name the third time, Samuel again runs to Eli.
The first two times, Eli basically told Samuel to go back to his room
and go to sleep. This time Eli understood and gave a different answer.
He told Samuel to go back to his room and if he hears someone calling
him again, he should answer, "Speak Lord, for Your servant hears." And
that is what Samuel did.
Many times people ask, "How do I know if God is talking to me or calling
my name? We are not accustomed to hearing God’s Voice or seeing visions
as has happened in other ages. We do believe that God has the power to
communicate with us in any manner He chooses. We need to study God’s
Word to find the ways He speaks to us. One easy example is when we read
the Words of Jesus, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of
these my brethren, you have done it unto me." Doesn’t this give you the
idea that the Voice of Jesus sometimes comes through the person who is
crying out for help? As you may have noted from my Rambling Thoughts, I
often hear God talking through nature and the everyday little activities
of life.
With the help of Eli, Samuel heard God call his name. Samuel responded.
When God calls your name, do you hear? Do you respond?
WE PRAY: LORD, send your Holy Spirit upon me that my ears might be
opened that I might hear when you call me to Your service. AMEN
A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION
Read the story of Samuel. As you read, consider all of the things that might not have happened if Samuel had not heard God call his name.