When God Speaks

When God Speaks
Words of Faith 8-8-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Samuel 3
[1] The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. [2] One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual 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.
Samuel answered, "Here I am." [5] And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
[6] Again, the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."
[7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
[8] The LORD called Samuel a third time, 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. [9] So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
[10] The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

There was no doubt that God spoke to the young boy Samuel. He had been working for several years in the Tabernacle of the Lord. Today, we call this "special revelation," and it was special then as well. The writer was clear that visions were rare. But one night, the Lord called to Samuel, and it was a sign that everything was soon to change.
Samuel was in the Tabernacle near the ark when he heard the Lord call to him. At first, he needed to figure out who was speaking. He thought it might be Eli's aging voice calling out to him. It took several attempts for Samuel to finally realize that this was the Lord. Eli helped Samuel discern how to respond.
This scripture says a couple of fascinating things. First, it says that Samuel did not yet know the Lord when all this began. He had been serving in the Tabernacle for several years. He had been dutiful in learning the activities of a priest, but he still did not know the Lord.
The text also says that the Lord came and stood in Samuel's presence and called to him. There was nothing earned or deserved about this encounter. It was entirely God's prerogative and choice. God chose Samuel. God reached out to Samuel. God spoke to Samuel, and Samuel would become the chosen instrument to speak His word, specifically about the family of Eli and the changes that were about to happen.
The boy who did not know the Lord would indeed get to know Him. He would play a pivotal role in the transition of Israel from a loose confederation of tribes under Judges to a strong nation under a king.
We might ask the question: Am I ready for God to speak? Samuel's preparation included several years of quiet service. Our preparation may be similar. When God speaks to us, we may need some help clarifying whose voice it is, but we can be sure that it will be pivotal.

Lord God, help me to hear Your voice, recognize Your Word, serve in humility, and open the door for Your communication. Help me to trust and obey. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.