“And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” —1 Samuel 3:8–10
A father once became so engulfed in his work that he neglected his family. Tensions were high as he stormed around home night after night, eating dinner then rushing off to his study. His relationship with his wife suffered and his children felt cut off from him. Their conversations with their father routinely fell on deaf ears and they felt as if he were no longer interested in them. One night his young daughter approached him, “Dad, I have something to tell you, but I’ll talk fast so I won’t bother you.” Realizing the error of his behavior the past few weeks, he replied, “You can talk to me, sweetie. But you don’t have to rush.” His daughter replied, “Then will you listen to me, please?”
Sadly many folks are guilty of hearing without listening. That is especially true when it comes to our relationship with God. We hear the words but we don’t get the message, or we fail to respond. Can you imagine what would have happened to Israel, or David, had it not been for for Samuel? His sensitivity and submission to God’s word made a huge difference in the history of Israel. Because of the prayers of his mother, the wise counsel of the priest, and the obedience of Samuel the course of a nation was changed.
You too can make a difference, and God wants to use you! Listen for His call. Yield to His instructions. I’m not talking about about hearing an audible voice as Samuel did. God speaks today through His Word as it is applied by the Holy Spirit. Look into His Word and listen for His will, then submit yourself. Regardless of how difficult or impossible it might seem, when God calls you to do something He will enable you to do it. The only possibility of failure is on your part. Surrender all to God and you can make a difference in your little part of the world.
