MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

In last week's article, we saw that God had a quiet but purposeful plan for Naomi in her loss, for Ruth in her loyalty, and for Boaz in his integrity. Each was part of a much larger design, that of redeeming people through His Son who would later enter the world.

God has always wanted to communicate; today, we'll focus on a young boy who heard God speak in the night. For years before Samuel was born, his mother Hannah lived under the heavy weight of childlessness, suffering shame and deep personal pain. She prayed with such intensity that the priest Eli thought she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:13). But God heard and answered her. A son was born, and after the child was weaned, Hannah took the boy to the tabernacle to grow up under Eli's care.

When Samuel was around ten or twelve, he woke when he heard a voice calling his name, and he ran to Eli. The third time this occurred, the priest realized what was happening. The scripture gives a crucial explanation. "Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him" (1 Samuel 3:7). The word "know" doesn't mean simple head knowledge. In Hebrew, "yada", to know, carries the idea of intimate, personal relationship.

No doubt Samuel had been trained in the rituals of the tabernacle; he knew the stories of Israel's history; he'd been educated about God. But he did not yet KNOW the Lord. Jesus in John 10:27 said, "'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.'” Until that relationship is real, even clear calls can be missed or misinterpreted. When Eli finally understood, he gave Samuel this simple instruction. "'If He calls you, say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening"’” (1 Samuel 3:9). So Samuel returned to his bed and placed himself in readiness. He set aside assumptions about who was calling, and made himself available.

Sadly, the message Samuel received was not an easy one. God's word of judgment was coming against Eli's household, and of course the boy was reluctant to share it (1 Samuel 3:15-18). But Eli received the message with humility, realizing that even painful situations are woven into God's good purposes.

Since the days of Samuel and Eli, we catch glimpses of God speaking through godly counsel. Just as Eli helped Samuel recognize the Lord's voice, mature believers can help others discern what God is saying. And though circumstances alone are never enough, God sometimes speaks through closed doors, repeated themes, and unexpected provision.

Jesus came as the living Word. So each time people look at Jesus, His compassion, obedience, sacrifice and victory tell of the heart of God. An old hymn says it well. "Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart." The more we fix our eyes on Jesus, the more clearly we recognize His voice in every way He chooses to speak. When Jesus is our vision, competing voices lose their power. Since the resurrection of Jesus, we have the same Spirit who hovered over creation living with every believer.

Other ways He speaks include through Scripture. The written Word is the standard by which every impression must be tested. When we open a Bible and read with a listening heart, the Spirit makes the Word living and personal. Other quiet promptings come directly through the Holy Spirit, sometimes with a deepening conviction, a sudden clarity, a burden to pray for someone, or a gentle restraint that prevents us from taking a wrong path.

God speaks through the gathered church. When the body of Christ worships together, prays, and opens the scriptures, God often confirms His direction in the presence of unified, godly people.

The same call which came to Samuel still stands. When Jesus says, "'Follow Me'" the call isn't merely to believe certain truths. He calls us to walk with Him, become more like Him, and join in His work.

Samuel's story began with a mother who prayed, and a boy who learned to listen. It continued with a lifetime of hearing and speaking the word of God. If we struggle to hear God, it may because we've filled our silence with noise, activity, or our own thoughts.

The next time we sense even the faintest stirring - in the quiet of the night, in the middle of a hard decision, or while reading a familiar passage - we should try answering the way Samuel did: "'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'" God still speaks. He is still looking for people who will hear and respond.