February 10, 2021
And it shall be, if He calls you that you must say, “Speak for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:9
The verse above is from one of my favorite Bible stories. After having prayed fervently to God for a child, Hannah gives birth to a son, Samuel. In gratitude for God’s blessing, Hannah places Samuel in the care of the temple priest, Eli, for training in service to God.
At that time in the Old Testament, God had been relatively quiet. “And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation”
(1 Samuel 3:1). Can you relate to this verse? Doesn’t it seem like the world is doing its best to suppress God’s word and remove His presence from our culture? Even so, God speaks to those who are faithful.
In Samuel’s case, it took three tries for him to recognize God’s voice. Three times God called Samuel’s name and each time he ran to Eli saying, “Here I am.” Three times Eli told the boy that he hadn’t called him and he should go back to bed. Until finally, “Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore, Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go lie down and it shall be if He calls you that you must say, ‘Speak Lord for Your servant hears.’ ” (1 Samuel 3:9)
If any story illustrates the statement that faith is not about perfection, faith is about direction, it’s this one. Samuel’s response isn’t perfect – he mistakes God’s voice for Eli’s three times! But Samuel’s response is an example I want to live by. When called, he answered. He came running, ready to be directed into action.
Where is God directing you in 2021? And how will you respond?
Heavenly Father, grant me the ability to hear your call and to respond with an obedient and grateful heart. Here I am Lord. Will you send me? Amen
Kim Atchison