God's Trying to Tell You Something
1 Samuel 3:1-10 NIV
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 temple 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.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
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.
The LORD called Samuel a third time, 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."
From the time of Adam, God had been actively communicating with His people. He had spoken audibly and often to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to Joshua and to others. But now, for 300 years, He had been more and more silent. "In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions." By the time of Eli, there were no prophets. At last, God spoke to Samuel, and Samuel said, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Finally, someone who would listen!!
I've often heard people say that God doesn't speak to people any more... that the writers of the Bible were the last to hear from Him. But that's just plain not true. God still speaks to us - if only we'll listen. Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV says, "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." God has spoken and is continuing to speak to us through His Word. And what is His Word? Well, the first thought that comes to mind is the Bible. But it goes even farther than that. In John 1, Jesus himself is called "the Word," confirming what the writer of Hebrews said.
No matter who we are or where we are, God is taking an active part in our lives every single moment, every hour, every day. He is continually speaking to us from His word - a convenient form of communication that we all have available to us, one that is sadly collecting dust in many homes. Then there's prayer. Prayer is not a one-way connection - you talking, God listening. He's responding to your prayers, if you'll just stop long enough to listen. He also sends messages through other people - a word of encouragement. an applicable scripture or related experience that will help you through a difficult situation. an intercessory prayer on your behalf.
When God speaks to you, do you hear Him? Do you see His hand on your life every day? Do you listen when He speaks to you, keeping the line open at all times? Or does God get a busy signal when He dials your number?
Be aware of God's hand on your life. Look for what He is doing for you every day. Listen for His voice when He speaks to you with love or encouragement or reprimand. Every moment of the day, remember that God's trying to tell you something. It's your job to listen.
Used with Permission
