Yes Lord, I'm Listening

"And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel.  Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."  1 Samuel 3:10

I'm back!  Let's have our cup of coffee and visit.

  As the night shadows began to slip over the temple, Samuel hurriedly tried to finish his task. Samuel's priest, Eli, had already retired for the night and Samuel was eager to follow in his lead and head off to bed.  While performing his final task of the night, Samuel began to think of his mother and the coat she had made for him.  He knew the love that had been sewn into each and every seam.  It made him smile to remember when his parents had come to visit and given him the coat.  Each time he put it on he was thankful for their love and his special memories of them.

  But now he must turn back his thoughts to listening for Eli.  His room was close enough that Samuel could hear the priest in case he needed him  As Samuel lay down to sleep, he suddenly heard his name being called.  He raced into Eli's chamber to see what he needed, only to find out that Eli had not called him at all.  Returning to his cot, Samuel once again, heard his name being spoken.  And, once again, he ran to Eli's room.  "No, my son, I did not call you," Eli said.  But, then, it happened a third time.  This time Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling Samuel.  Eli instructed Samuel to go lie down and then told him what to say if the Lord called his name again.

  Samuel did as Eli says and lay down in his cot once more.  "Samuel, Samuel," he heard again.  This time Samuel responded to the Lord's calling by answering, "Speak, for thy servant heareth."

  Oh, how I love this story.  I was drawn to it not long ago as I was praying for each of my grandchildren, that as they get older, they might hear the voice of the Lord and respond the same way Samuel did.

  Then, of course, I thought about you and me.  Don't you love the way the Lord turns and asks us to examine our own hearts.  How many times the Lord calls to us,  yet we do not respond because we are too busy, or we have other sounds drowning out His voice, or we are afraid He may ask us to do something we do not want to do.

  I have a challenge for you and for me...when you hear the voice of the Lord, whether in reading the Word, or in your prayer time, or just by the thoughts the Holy Spirit gives you, respond.  He may be speaking to you about correction, or maybe some instruction, or giving you some direction for your life.  It could be in the area of improving your time with the Lord, in praise or thanksgiving, in obedience, or just by being still like Samuel and hearing the sweet voice of the Lord.  Whatever the time, when He speaks, respond, "Speak, for thy servant heareth."

  What an awesome privilege we have to hear His voice, the Creator of the Universe, who knows our name and takes the time to converse with us  May you be so blessed as you listen to His voice and then respond to what He asks of you.