Speak Lord, For Your Servant Hears
There is one sure fire way to make sure God will speak to you. Eli instructed young Samuel in what to do, and Samuel came to know God personally as God spoke to him clearly.(I Samuel 3:9) Let's examine what Eli told Samuel to do.
First of all, Samuel addressed God as "Lord." God is the Lord of all, and we can't approach Him in any other way that is appropriate for who He is. However, when we believe He exists, which Samuel did, even as a child, then, we have to decide if we will trust Him as Lord of our lives. I believe Samuel's heart was prepared, and God was calling him to know Him and to be His spokesman. Of course, God can speak to anyone with whom He chooses to speak. However, He speaks on a personal basis with those who have surrendered to Him as Lord of their lives.
Next, Samuel asked God to speak to Him, and he meant it. He really wanted to hear from the Lord. He was not just saying words. It was the desire of his young heart. God loves to talk with us, and He speaks to those who approach Him with a clean heart, ready to hear.
Finally, Samuel told God he was His servant. That meant he was ready to act upon what God said to him. This is very important. Why should God speak to us, if He knows we are not going to obey what He says? That is useless, unless He is just putting us through a test. However, when we let God know we will do His will as He reveals it to us, He is glad to speak to us constantly.
Try it out. Take time to sit before the Lord, reading His Word and praying. Ask God to speak by saying, "Speak Lord, for Your servant hears." Then, listen for Him with a willing heart to obey. If He is your Lord, He will speak, and you will obey, like Samuel did.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 4-7.
First of all, Samuel addressed God as "Lord." God is the Lord of all, and we can't approach Him in any other way that is appropriate for who He is. However, when we believe He exists, which Samuel did, even as a child, then, we have to decide if we will trust Him as Lord of our lives. I believe Samuel's heart was prepared, and God was calling him to know Him and to be His spokesman. Of course, God can speak to anyone with whom He chooses to speak. However, He speaks on a personal basis with those who have surrendered to Him as Lord of their lives.
Next, Samuel asked God to speak to Him, and he meant it. He really wanted to hear from the Lord. He was not just saying words. It was the desire of his young heart. God loves to talk with us, and He speaks to those who approach Him with a clean heart, ready to hear.
Finally, Samuel told God he was His servant. That meant he was ready to act upon what God said to him. This is very important. Why should God speak to us, if He knows we are not going to obey what He says? That is useless, unless He is just putting us through a test. However, when we let God know we will do His will as He reveals it to us, He is glad to speak to us constantly.
Try it out. Take time to sit before the Lord, reading His Word and praying. Ask God to speak by saying, "Speak Lord, for Your servant hears." Then, listen for Him with a willing heart to obey. If He is your Lord, He will speak, and you will obey, like Samuel did.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 4-7.