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.”
1 Samuel 3:7-8
We may not hear from God because we don’t know its him calling.
Samuel had lived with Eli, the priest, since he was a little boy. He was an assistant to him in all the tasks that needed to be completed in the tabernacle. Samuel knew how to get the oil for the lamps, how to start the fire for the offerings, where to set Eli’s robes, etc., but the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
Samuel had a routine in the tabernacle, but not a relationship with God.
So, when God began calling to Samuel, Samuel kept going to Eli. He could hear the call, but didn’t recognize the caller. All Samuel knew was Eli, so Eli had to lead Samuel to God.
It’s quite possible that God is calling you, but you just don’t recognize His Voice.
The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and then he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
1 Samuel 3:21
Once Samuel built his own relationship with God and not through Eli, Samuel began to hear God himself through the word of God.
God is speaking all the time, but most of the time, like Samuel, we can’t hear him because a) we don’t have a personal relationship with Him, b) we aren’t seeking Him, or c) we don’t know how to hear Him.
Our relationship with God can’t come through someone else or a string of actions we are taught to do. Just looking at Samuel, who was brought up in the tabernacle, under the guidance of Eli, he did as he was told. Samuel was faithful to Eli, but he did not know God. So, when God spoke, he didn’t recognize his voice. It’s possible for us to have the same problem.
Maybe you grew up in a strong Christian home, and you were taught all the right things to do; you went to Church, Bible Study, Sunday School, Vacation Bible Study, Church Camp, you sang in the kids choir, you volunteered to serve, and you thought, because I’m doing all the right things I’m a Christian. Or maybe you grew up in a home of where your parents said they were Christians, but the actions weren’t there, however, you thought because my parents are Christians than so am I. To hear the call that God for us, however, we have to have our own relationship with Christ.
My parents were believers, we went to church when I was a child, I LOVED Vacation Bible School and the Christmas Cantata, but it took me at a young age, climbing under the built in desk in my room praying to God, it took me going out onto my swing singing to Him, it took me grabbing my Bible in my bed at night reading His Word. Out of the early hurts in my life, I sought Him, and that’s how I heard from God and grew a relationship with Him.
To Seek God, truly, we have to take action. The action I’m talking about isn’t completing a checklist of to-do’s, but actually taking action in our own way out of the many ways he gives us. We can pray, we can read the word, we can sit in silence with Him, we can fast, we can sing, we can worship him while cleaning. Because, you see, He is always there, it is us who are far off. We need to go after Him, and we will find Him. Then when we find Him, we will hear Him call.
In the seeking, we will hear Him, because even the rocks call out His Glory.
Samuel heard God audibly and then continually through His word. He heard it out loud a couple of times, but most often by reading the Word that God gave him. God gave us His Word, as well, and He continually speaks to us through it. If we go to the Word and ask Him to open our eyes, ears, hearts and minds, to hear what He has to say, we will hear Him Speak.
Everyday, as I write, I write what God speaks to me, that for one, I need to hear, but also, maybe you too. Before I read my Bible in the morning, I get down on my knees and pray, and I end every prayer with God, please speak into me and allow me to be a light to others. Then once I read and see how he is speaking, how he catches my heart, I write, and then he confirms what I heard throughout the day.
So can you hear God’s call for you today? You can Hear Him by Knowing Him by Seeking Him through His Word.
Running 2 Fly 