1 Samuel 3
God called Samuel as he was sleeping and Samuel would wake up, go to Eli, and say “here I am, you called me?” Eli would tell him, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 3 times God called Samuel’s name and he mistakes it for Eli’s voice.
Samuel was mistaking Gods voice for Eli’s because it was a voice he was used to. It was familiar.
A lot of times when God calls us- we run to the old habits because they’re familiar. We run back to the things in our past the we miss because it was comfortable. We run back to the sinful desires that we were set free from because its easier to run back and hide behind these things than it is to bring them to light, give them over to God, and leave them completely behind.
A lot of times people say they can’t hear the Lord or the Lord isn’t speaking to them. Do you ever think that He is but you just aren’t choosing to hear Him?
When God was calling Samuel, He didn’t say anything different – it was the same thing all three times. But It wasn’t until Samuel humbled himself, gave up control, and decided to listen for the voice of the Lord that He was able to hear Him clearly. It wasn’t until he laid down and said “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” that God was able to entrust Him with the knowledge of His plans for Eli.
The Lord doesn’t stop speaking to us. He doesn’t stop pursuing us. But His voice is going to be so muffled by your own voice until you reach the point of laying everything at his feet, humbling yourself, and saying “Speak Lord, your faithful servant is listening.” Listen not just to learn more about who God is or to sound like you know what you’re talking about, but listen so His words can pierce your heart and you can transform your life according to what He is calling you to.
