1 Samuel 3:10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

This is about as literal a “calling” as is recorded in the whole Bible! It is a story that is appropriately told in Sunday Schools around the world, because children need to know that God does speak to young people, sometimes even quite young. It also illustrated the proper way to respond to God. Eli made many mistakes, particularly in raising his own sons, but by God’s grace he gave Samuel exactly the right advice in this instance. When God talks to us, however He does it, we need to acknowledge that we are His servants, and stand ready to do whatever He says. At the time of this story, the Torah, that is, the five books of Moses, along with probably Joshua and possibly Judges, were all the Bible that had been recorded, so Samuel didn’t have a lot of Scripture with which to evaluate whether He was hearing the Lord, or some lying spirit. We, however, have the advantage of the full Bible, New Testament as well as Old, so we have a better chance of distinguishing when the Lord is speaking to us. That said, very few people expect to hear God speak to them! That actually goes against the Biblical record. Particularly since we do have the Bible, in multiple translations, even, we should be hungry to hear what God is saying to us, and read the Bible eagerly, expecting Him to speak. A literal voice, such as what Samuel experienced, is not common, but if we have an obedient servant heart, He will indeed speak to us. Far too many people think of Prayer as speaking to God, when He wants it to be speaking with Him.

I have experienced what seemed like a literal voice from God on two occasions, and both times it was a shock! That said, I have heard Him in my mind, my heart, countless times, though concrete words have not been so common. Such experiences have made me eager to have my morning devotional times, because He is more than faithful to speak to me in them. I am never at a loss for sermons, because I just have to ask Him which of the many things He has said to me I am to share. I realize that is a huge blessing, and not all genuine pastors, even, are so gifted, but I remain convinced that our Creator talks to His children, and we should be eager to hear. Jesus said repeatedly, “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 11:15, etc.) I am personally commissioned to relay to others what God tells me, but I must never cook up things to say in my own mind. On exactly one occasion I remember giving a prophecy, and God stopped talking but I didn’t. That was a horrible experience, and one I never want to repeat. I am to be careful I am hearing the Lord accurately, and always strive to communicate it accurately, if that is what He wants me to do with what I have heard. Sometimes He’s just talking to me, giving me instructions. As a pastor, my chief desire for the flock is that they learn to hear and obey the Lord for themselves, not just depending on me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me be faithful as a steward of Your Word, both what we have written and what You speak to me directly. May Your Word indeed accomplish everything for which You send it, (Isaiah 55:10-11) just as it did with Samuel, so that Your name may be acknowledged as holy and Your rule and reign be established as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!