“Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening”

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

We all face obstacles in our lives. Sometimes we don’t realize our Lord is speaking to us, other times we try to ignore the gentle voice. When we have problems we don’t always realize how God uses us to work through others and how others do the same for us. We all want to know what God has said that will give us strength and guide through both the difficulties and opportunities we face.

Samuel listened, and he became known as a man who lived faithfully and fearlessly.

Whenever we open the Bible, listen to a sermon, or pause to pray, it is a wonderful practice to ask our Lord to speak to us, and to show us the way.

God speaks through His Word to those who listen with their heart.

Our Daily Bread – February 19, 2012