Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” –
1 Samuel 3:10
This was the fourth call, and this time, the call went through! God called, and Samuel answered. We’ve all had that kind of experience where you see a friend afar off and try to catch their attention. You look steadily in their direction and wave your hands frantically, but find that your friend’s attention is on something else.1 Samuel 3:10
After several tries, you begin to wonder whether the two of you would ever make eye contact. Then, in one moment, your friend turns in your direction and spots you. At that point, there is usually a big smile of recognition and friendship.
God and Samuel finally made contact. The Lord called, and Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for your servant hears’. That single connection in the quiet of dawn, before the break of day, begun a life-long relationship between the Lord and his servant, Samuel. That day, the Lord gave Samuel a message concerning his mentor, Eli, the priesthood and the future of the nation of Israel.
Everyone God has used significantly has had their moment of contact with Him. It should be our fervent prayer that the Lord will get through to us, no matter how long it takes.
Making contact with God can sometimes feel frustrating. It doesn’t just happen in one spiritual encounter; it often takes a long process of knowing the sound of God’s voice and the sensitivity of our heart. Even when we can’t make out His voice, the Lord continues to speak to us.
If you’re wondering whether God ever speaks to you, be fully assured that He does; He does speak to you. The missing link in our connection with God is often our relationship with Him; He must be personally known to each one of us.
Samuel’s encounter with God teaches us to be watchful at all times. It also teaches us not to see another human being as the source of our call. We learn that although we may miss God at some point in our lives, He will still reach out to us. And just as Eli helped Samuel to respond to the Lord, may we have people in our lives who will help us to know what to do even when we don’t know which way to go.
May the same Lord who raised Samuel to do His will also raise us to do His will in our time.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to connect to Your purposes for my life. Use me according to Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 3
CrossoverWithOtabil
YearOfExcellence
