by Chantel Poisel, Communications Coordinator, Sidewalk Advocates for Life
Verse(s): “A third time the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ 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. 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. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ And the Lord said to Samuel: ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.'” — 1 Samuel 3: 8-11
Reflection: The Lord had been calling out to Samuel, but Samuel did not yet know his voice. The Lord was patiently persistent, and Samuel was eager to listen — especially once he understood that it was the Lord’s voice he was hearing! This passage makes me think: how many times does the Lord call out to me before I hear His voice? Do I always recognize His voice as soon as I hear it? The Lord speaks to His people, but we have to be willing to listen and ready to serve.
Faith Challenge: Spend time in the Word and in prayer, and listen for the Lord’s voice. What is He calling you to do? Can you answer him, “Speak, for your servant is listening!” Are you ready to serve when that call comes?