Are You Listening?

The Biblical account of the call of young Samuel has long been a favorite passage of mine. I told it to my children when they were small, and Jay once mentioned that it was the first Bible story he had ever remembered learning. There are a number of lessons we can learn from the call of Samuel.

Samuel was born to parents who deeply desired to have a child. His mother, Hannah, who was barren, prayed to God for a son. Her promise to God was that if he would take away her reproach and grant her a son, that she in turn would give the child back to him all the days of his life. God granted the request and gave Hannah the son she desired, and she named him Samuel (which, loosely translated, means "God Hears"). After the child was weaned, she brought him to Eli the priest who ministered at the house of God in Shiloh. Hannah kept her promise to God in bringing presenting her son to Him.

This was a time of great degeneracy and crisis in Israel. The Philistines held the Israelites in subjection. The spiritual quality of life among God's people was in decline. Even Eli's sons were disgracing the name of the Lord by their ungodly practices. It was against this backdrop that God began to deal with Samuel (who was probably about 13 by this time). The narrative is found in 1 Samuel chapter 3.

The first lesson we can learn from Samuel is to Be Aware. If you remember the story, Samuel was bedded down for the night. He heard someone calling his name and assumed it had to be Eli. The old priest told young Samuel he hadn't called him, and to go back to bed. Samuel heard the voice calling his name a second and a third time. Each time he went to Eli saying, "I know you called me. I heard your voice." On the third time, Eli perceived that Samuel was being called by the Lord. He gave the young man some excellent advice. "The next time you hear the voice, say, 'Speak Lord, your servant is listening", Eli advised.

Just as He spoke to Samuel, God speaks to us today - probably more often than we realize. We can hear from God through prayer time, Bible reading, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We need to be aware of His call.

The second lesson we see here is to Be Attuned to the message. In verses 11-14 God gave Samuel specific information. It was Samuel's responsibility to pay attention and get the message straight. As we listen to God's Word, we must be attentive to the Holy Spirit. What is God saying to us? Is there a warning to heed? Is there instruction to apply to our lives? Is there a promise to claim? Is there a message to deliver? God had a specific message for Samuel. He has a specific message for you and me as well. We must be attuned to the Holy Spirit to apply the message.

The third lesson we learn from Samuel's experience is to Be An Announcer. In the remainder of the chapter we see that Eli encouraged Samuel to tell him all of what God had revealed to him. Samuel's information was accurate because it came directly from God. Samuel simply repeated what God had revealed to him. What do we need to announce to the world today? Opinions? Philosophy? Conventional wisdom?

No!

We simply must pass along what God has revealed. Adding nothing. Taking nothing away. Simply being faithful to share what "Thus says the Lord." The message may not be popular. It may not be well received, but it will always be relevant and accurate if we simply share God's Word, plus nothing. Samuel was faithful to get the message right. So must we.

Is God speaking to you?

If so, I hope you're all ears...