God Wants To Speak To You
The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days, the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions...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 you; go back and lie down .” So he went and lay 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 other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
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 you; go back and lie down .” So he went and lay 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 other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
In those days, the word of the LORD was rare.
The people of God during Eli’s time were not living for God. The priesthood had become corrupted. The sons of Eli the High Priest, had no regard for the things of God.They forcefully took the sacrifices that the Israelites brought to the House of God and even slept with the women who served at the entrance to the House of God. Eli had lost control of the behavior of his sons. Corruption went on unbridled.
It is interesting that God had to call three times before Eli realized that God was calling Samuel. It shows that Eli himself was probably not that familiar with the voice of God! No wonder the Bible says the word of the LORD was rare in those days. Sin stifles the word of God. Sin causes the Spirit of God to move away.
But sin can never stifle the love of God. Sin can never stifle the intense desire of God to cleanse, reach out and bless His people because where sin abounds, grace abounds even more! God is always looking for a willing vessel through whom He can speak to His people.
So, God found a faithful servant in Samuel. Samuel was focused on serving the LORD and God brought His word to His people again.
No matter how degenerate, godless and corrupt society and even the Church might be, God is always looking for vessels through whom He would deliver His pure unadulterated word to bless His people again.
In these uncertain, frightening and corrupt days in which we live, may you be a Samuel through whom God will bring His message of deliverance for His people again. God wants to speak to you. Get yourself ready and let your response be, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
The people of God during Eli’s time were not living for God. The priesthood had become corrupted. The sons of Eli the High Priest, had no regard for the things of God.They forcefully took the sacrifices that the Israelites brought to the House of God and even slept with the women who served at the entrance to the House of God. Eli had lost control of the behavior of his sons. Corruption went on unbridled.
It is interesting that God had to call three times before Eli realized that God was calling Samuel. It shows that Eli himself was probably not that familiar with the voice of God! No wonder the Bible says the word of the LORD was rare in those days. Sin stifles the word of God. Sin causes the Spirit of God to move away.
But sin can never stifle the love of God. Sin can never stifle the intense desire of God to cleanse, reach out and bless His people because where sin abounds, grace abounds even more! God is always looking for a willing vessel through whom He can speak to His people.
So, God found a faithful servant in Samuel. Samuel was focused on serving the LORD and God brought His word to His people again.
No matter how degenerate, godless and corrupt society and even the Church might be, God is always looking for vessels through whom He would deliver His pure unadulterated word to bless His people again.
In these uncertain, frightening and corrupt days in which we live, may you be a Samuel through whom God will bring His message of deliverance for His people again. God wants to speak to you. Get yourself ready and let your response be, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Prayer: Lord, speak for your servant is listening. Amen