Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC

1 Samuel 3:1-9
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

A few years back Verizon launched a marketing campaign where a glasses wearing non-descript guy (who looks a little bit like waldo from the “where’s waldo” books by the way) went all over the world asking those he called on his cell phone, “Can you hear me now?” He went to jungles, forests, remote beaches, and mountainous landscapes just to prove verizon had the best coverage in America. No matter where he found himself the person on the other end of the line could always hear him clearly.

At a very young age God had a special plan for Samuel. He was the answer to the previously barren Hannah’s prayers for a son, and as a result she dedicated him completely to the Lord. Now he’s ministering to the Lord, and God calls to him audibly. Confused Samuel goes to Eli, the High Priest, and asks him if he called for him. Twice Eli tells Samuel to simply go back to bed. The third time he came, however, Eli realized the Lord was calling Samuel. Then Eli gave Samuel a great word of advice. He told Samuel that when he heard God’s call again to simply respond, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

God speaks to us all in many ways, and He calls us to serve and worship Him. The problem comes in when we are either too distracted or allow too many worldly disruptions to hear him speak. Our misplaced priorities and misinterpreted successes cause the connection to break up, losing the call. No matter where you are or what you are going through you can have a clear connection to Christ. He hears and answers our prayers and calls to us in His love. We are His sheep, and we know Him and know His voice. The question is am I in a spiritual posture such that I can hear Him speak? Have I confessed sin and set my full attention on the Lord in honesty and humility? Every day we must pray like Samuel, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.”

So, how’s the connection between you and Jesus? Are you talking to Him and hearing His voice clearly on a consistent basis? If not, what distractions and/or disruptions need to be removed to get a clear connection? The Lord is asking, “Can you hear Me now?” What’s your answer?  

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, You call to me in Your love, but often times I am too distracted to hear your voice clearly. Forgive me Lord. I want to hear and know your voice. Speak to me Lord for I am listening to You.

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Samuel 16:7
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.